The moment the cabin door closed behind them, Dante pressed Finn against the wall, and kissed him breathless.

“Missed you,” Dante whispered, dragging his palms down Finn’s sides. “Want to make you mine.”

Finn groaned, arching toward his alpha. “But you’re hurt.”

“You’re more important,” Dante said, trailing kisses down Finn’s neck, his breath hot. “Missed touching you.”

He slid his hands under Finn’s shirt, cupped Finn’s belly in his palms. Kissed down Finn’s chest, biting lightly on Finn’s nipples through the thin cotton. Finn shivered, pleasure racing down his nerves. He’d missed this. Missed sharing the cabin with Dante, missed sharing his life with his mate.

“I—I started on the bassinets when you were gone,” Finn said, his breath catching when Dante kissed down his belly, pulling his shirt up. “For the pups.”

Dante growled. “I’ll help you with them.”

He knelt at Finn’s feet, tugged Finn’s pants down. Then he pressed his face to Finn’s bare abdomen, nuzzling the pups. In the time they took to get home, the blood on Dante’s wounds had dried. There was dark blood on his face and arms, down his shoulders, his back. And yet here he was, pulling Finn’s shoes off.

Finn squirmed, tucking his bad leg away. He knew it was part of him. But damn if it could stop failing him for once, if he could somehow recover, and walk like a normal person.

“There’s a tradition,” Finn said haltingly. “In the pack.”

Dante looked up over Finn’s belly, licking his skin. “What is it?”

“The bonding ritual.”

Dante’s gaze sharpened. He stared hungrily at Finn, his breath rushing against Finn’s abdomen. “I can bond with you again?”

Finn’s cheeks heated. “You’re absolutely certain about it, huh?”

“Why do you think I’m here?” Dante kissed the swell of Finn’s belly.

“I’m old,” Finn said softly. “I don’t know if I can have more pups after this litter.”

“That’s never mattered to me before.” Dante laughed, the sound vibrating through Finn’s abdomen. “I’ve spent years with you, Finn. I’ve never had another omega. If this litter is all we have, that’s fine, too.”

Finn’s heart thudded. Still couldn’t believe Dante was back. After the bond-breaking, after the kidnapping... Dante’s face was such a welcome sight. Finn ran his fingers lightly through Dante’s hair, finding the parts of Dante’s scalp that had been bloodied.

“You’re hurt,” he murmured.

“We’ll fix that later,” Dante said, pressing his cheek to Finn’s belly. “You’re more important.”

“So are you,” Finn said. “You’re important, too.”

Dante’s eyes lit up. He nuzzled Finn’s stretch marks, kissing them. “I’m sorry,” he murmured. “I failed your dad. I was supposed to protect him, but I wasn’t around for a bit. I promise I’ll be here forever now.”

Finn’s chest tightened. “Gods, Dante.”

Dante hesitated, then. “I’m still not great with controlling my wolf. Don’t know how to explain that to our pups.”

“You’re doing better,” Finn said. “You lost control for a bit back there, but you came back.”

“You helped,” Dante whispered. “Saw you and the pups in that forest, and I—I don’t know where I’d be without you.”

Warmth swelled through Finn’s chest. “As long as you keep practicing, I think we’ll be fine. We’ll get you and your wolf sorted out.”

“You think so?” Dante brightened.

“Yes, I think so,” Finn said.

Dante beamed. “Gonna build us a nursery. And all the cots. And a bigger bed for us. Don’t know if we’ll have time to do it all before the birth. I hope so.”

Finn chuckled. “You decided all that on the way here?”

Dante grinned up at him, boyish and endearing. “Yeah. We’re gonna have more pups after this litter, and we’ll have a big house, and your woodworking classes will be famous through all of southern California. I’ll be your trusty assistant.”

“Gods, I don’t know what to do with you,” Finn said, a smile creeping through his face. He didn’t know if all that would happen, but Dante’s optimism... that was precious.

“While you decide, I have some ideas,” Dante said, waggling his eyebrows. He kissed Finn between the legs. Finn squirmed. “Before we forget,” Dante said. “The bonding ritual.”

“If we ever get to that... There’s a—a dance.” Finn bit his lip. “The alpha and omega are supposed to do it together.”

Dante reached up, sliding his palm over Finn’s heart. “What’re you nervous about? Your leg?”

Finn sighed. He’d forgotten Dante could feel his anxiety, too. “Yeah.”

“We’ll practice,” Dante said, kissing the top of Finn’s thigh. “I don’t care how many times we do it. We’ll blow them away with our dance. And then you’ll be mine. Again.”

Finn blushed. “I guess.” Still couldn’t shake the feeling that his leg would fail him at the most important moment.

“It won’t,” Dante said, kissing down Finn’s scarred thigh. “I’ll make sure of it.”

Finn swallowed hard, staring at his alpha. Maybe Dante was right. Maybe all he needed was practice, and maybe, if they practiced enough, he wouldn’t mess up again.

“I believe in you,” Dante murmured, stroking down the back of Finn’s thighs. “And our pups will be proud of you.”

Finn’s eyes grew wet; he tried to speak, but his throat was too tight. “So you say.”

“So I say,” Dante said, smiling warmly up at him.

Then Dante stood, sweeping Finn off his feet and into his arms. Finn squawked.

“Gonna get you all washed up,” Dante whispered. “Get you all ready for bed.”

“It’s the middle of the day!”

“Never too early to mate with you.” Dante grinned, and a thrill shot through Finn’s body, all the way to his toes. “Make you remember you’re mine.”

Finn trembled, his body growing hot. Yeah, he wanted that. He was Dante’s. Nothing would change that now.

The bonding ritual took place a week before the birth.

Under the light of the almost-full moon, Finn stood with Dante at the highest ridge of the Topanga Canyon, their hands tightly linked.

Around them, the pack wolves stood in a circle, some holding flaming torches, a couple seated with broad, red-lacquered drums. The wolves murmured amongst themselves, and in Finn’s belly, his pups kicked.

He grunted; Dante looked over, his forehead creasing.

“Someone’s awake,” Finn said, bringing their hands up against his belly. Pressed the back of Dante’s hand against his navel. “There.”

The pup kicked again, and a wide smile spread across Dante’s lips. “I felt it!”

Finn felt Dante’s excitement, the knot of nervous energy in Dante’s gut. The second vote was tonight—whether or not Dante would be accepted into the pack. If he was... then they would proceed with the bonding ceremony.

Finn glanced at the folded white dress to the side of the drums, his pulse skittering. Wasn’t sure he’d look decent in it. Didn’t know if they’d get through the dance okay.

Wasn’t sure if the pack really wanted his alpha with them.

Arnold stepped up onto a rock outcrop, overlooking the pack. “We’ve gathered here tonight,” he said in a booming voice, “to decide if we’ll take a wolf as one of our own.”

Finn and Dante knelt before him, bowing their heads. Arnold nodded at them. Then he addressed the pack.

“We have before us an alpha and an omega. Years ago, before any of us were aware, Finn took this young wolf as his alpha. There was an accident—Finn had been taken away by the waves. Dante passed this news along to us, and, believing his omega dead, he gave in to his wolf. He has committed murders in that time.

“Today, he is back before us, reunited with Finn. He has stayed with us in the canyon for the past two months, and you have been the judge of his behavior. Last week, Dante asked to pledge his allegiance to the Topanga pack.

“Tonight, I will ask you to vote,” Arnold said. “Those in favor of taking Dante as one of our own, raise your hands.”

Finn held his breath as the pack wolves murmured. Then, one by one, hands rose into the air.

Dante squeezed Finn’s hand, his eyes wide, his heart thumping loud.

Old Bill beamed at them. Gabe smiled, and Kendrick nodded. Rhett had his hand in the air, his chin up, almost defiant. Then there was Daisy, who smiled at Dante, and Lucy, who grinned.

The same wolves who had voted Dante into the canyon last week now raised their hands, along with a few others. Finn’s throat grew tight.

His mom had her hand down, and so did Humphrey, but that was fine. Dante didn’t need everyone’s approval.

After a pause, Arnold began the count. Finn leaned against Dante, his pulse racing in his ears. Didn’t know what he’d do if Dante wasn’t accepted. Maybe they’d still be allowed to live in the canyon anyway, continuing with their lives.

“The vote is over,” Arnold announced. “Thirty-seven votes for Dante joining the pack. Thirty-eight, including my own. Dante, you will be accepted into the Topanga pack.”

Finn’s heart skipped. Dante stared at Arnold, then Finn, his mouth open. Then his spirits rose, and Finn felt his mate’s heart thumping, Dante’s disbelief.

“Dante, you may step forward,” Arnold said. “Raise your pack arm.”

Carefully, Dante got to his feet. He pulled his sleeve up, revealing the three silver lines from the Weregrit leader’s claws.

Arnold shifted into a silver wolf. Then he lowered his head, and bit hard across the silver lines on Dante’s arm. Dante’s lips thinned; Finn felt the jolt of pain through their connection.

As the new tooth marks began to bleed, Arnold raised his paw, and scratched a line between the tooth marks—the sign for the Topanga pack.

The new mark completely covered the old—Arnold licked over the wound, and Dante gritted his teeth. Finn could only imagine what it felt like, losing the connection with your pack, and gaining a new set. Probably like forging a new bond.

Dante bowed for Arnold. Arnold set a paw on his shoulder, nodding. Then Arnold said in all their minds, Let’s welcome our new wolf.

The pack raised their snouts to the moon and howled, and Finn howled along with them. Part of pack, he howled. Dante one of us.

Dante straightened, and when he howled, Finn heard him, too. Part of pack, he howled. One of us.

Then he stepped back next to Finn, and Finn caught Dante’s face in his hands, kissing Dante on the lips. “Proud of you,” Finn whispered. “Welcome to the pack.”

Dante kissed him back, his excitement thrumming in Finn’s chest. “I hear all of you now,” Dante said.

The wolves around them cheered. Finn pressed their foreheads together, joy fluttering through his heart. Dante was welcome here. After years of being on the outside... he was part of a pack that wanted him.

Dante nuzzled him again.

“And now the bonding ceremony,” Arnold said. “Finn, you know what to do.”

Finn blushed. He rolled onto his feet; Dante gripped his arms, helping him up.

At twelve weeks pregnant, his body was heavy, his belly swollen with their pups. Finn pressed a kiss to the corner of Dante’s lips, then stepped back—it was part of the ceremony for him to part from his alpha.

Finn turned to the omegas. Lucy helped him over to the side, one of the omegas holding a torch over them to light their path. Then the rest of the omegas clustered around them in a circle, and Finn blushed as they helped him out of his clothes.

The shirt went. Then his shoes, his jeans, his underwear. The skin of his belly was taut, stretched over his pups. Finn imagined it cast a shadow over his bad leg, so at least no one would see it. The lines on his skin were still blue—they would remain blue for the rest of his pregnancy.

Someone brought forth a basin. Ruth dipped washcloths into the water, wringing them dry. The rest of the omegas ran the washcloths down Finn’s body—his face, his shoulders, his back. Down his chest, over his belly, and along his legs.

“You are cleansed,” Lucy said, “and ready to begin a new life with your mate.”

Finn’s heart pattered. He’d watched this ceremony before, helped in it. But it was always for another omega, and never for himself.

Never thought he’d be bonded to his alpha in front of the pack.

His face hot, Finn held his breath as Lucy unfolded the white dress. It was a filmy thing, all loose and translucent. It stretched over his arms as the omegas pulled it onto him. Then it slid over his chest and hugged his belly, swishing around his ankles.

It hid the scars on his legs and belly a little, but clung to his body, leaving little to the imagination.

When the omegas broke the circle, Finn turned. Dante was standing in the middle of the clearing in a crisp shirt and jeans, surrounded by the pack and their torches. His eyes burned down Finn’s front, and his throat worked.

Daisy held Finn’s hand, walking him to the middle of the circle, where a thin tree branch rested by Dante’s feet. Then she left him, and Dante took Finn’s hand, his eyes never once leaving Finn.

“You’re so damn beautiful,” Dante whispered. He leaned in close, his breath falling hot on Finn’s lips.

For a moment, Finn thought Dante might kiss him. But Dante held back, raked his gaze down Finn’s chest, to his belly. Finn’s entire body tingled.

Then he looked down at the six-foot branch, and gulped.

They’d prepared for this, Dante and him. Over the past week, they’d practiced in the front yard, Crumpet yapping around them, the carts careening in circles as they joined in the dance. That, Finn had learned to see the fun in.

But this ceremony was different. This was Dante and Finn and Finn’s bad leg, all in front of a crowd.

Maybe it was his pregnancy, or maybe it was because the pack felt sorry about his leg. The branch was forgiving, not quite so crooked, the offshoot branches trimmed down low so Finn wouldn’t trip on it. Finn felt like laughing and crying at the same time.

“Ready?” Arnold asked.

Finn met Dante’s eyes. In the closed circle of the pack, and in the golden light of the torches, Dante looked handsome, excited. A slight bit worried, because Finn wasn’t really in any shape to dance right now.

Finn trailed his fingers over the healing stitches on Dante’s face. “I’m ready,” he murmured.

“I’m ready,” Dante said, squeezing Finn’s hip. I’m here. You don’t have to worry.

But Finn still did. His leg had been failing him at the worst possible moments. His belly was swollen, and he couldn’t see his feet.

Arnold nodded at Rhett and Gabe, who sat on opposite sides of the circle, each with a drum. Rhett tapped his drumstick on the drum’s edge, a high, sharp sound. Then he and Gabe began to play, loud, booming beats that reverberated in Finn’s very bones.

Dante began the dance. With his hand around Finn’s, he hopped from one side of the branch to the next, following the rhythm.

Then he led Finn into the dance, too. With one hand holding up his dress, Finn followed in Dante’s footsteps, hopping from one foot to the other, careful not to trip on the smaller branches sticking up.

It was a tradition of the Topanga pack, branch-hopping. It signified a mated pair crossing the crags in the canyon together, helping each other, catching each other so they wouldn’t fall.

It wasn’t the end of the world if Finn’s feet happened to touch the branch, but Finn wanted the dance to be perfect for Dante, because Dante deserved the best omega he could have.

The wolves clapped along to the beat. There would only be ten crossings to make, from one end of the branch to the other. With Finn’s belly heavy as it was, every leap wore on his back, his leg muscles aching.

As Dante led Finn in a zigzagging path along the branch, Finn’s confidence grew. He could do this. Dante was holding him. Dante’s eyes were so bright, and Finn could fall into them, could lose himself in his alpha.

His foot snagged on a tiny offshoot branch his belly hid. Finn’s heart stopped.

Dante lifted him up over the branch, spun him around and set Finn back on his feet, and Finn froze, his mind still catching up. Dante continued the dance on his behalf, tapping his toes on one side of the branch, then the other. Finn gathered his courage again. Dante grinned.

They danced down to the end of the branch, Finn clearing the rest of the offshoots, Dante holding his hands. By the time they cleared the last step, Finn was panting, his cheeks flushed, his heart pounding. His body ached.

It had been difficult. It was also a shorter dance than usual—any more, and Finn probably would’ve collapsed. Wasn’t easy, dancing with three pups in your belly.

He leaned into Dante, puffing. The pack cheered.

“You did great,” Dante said, his eyes sparkling. His pride swelled through their connection, and Finn blushed. “I’m so proud of you.”

And he meant it. Finn looked down, embarrassed.

He pressed his nose to Dante’s shoulder, catching his breath. Watched as some of the omegas grinned and waved, heading their pups away from the circle.

Finn was acutely aware of what came next. He was almost keen on getting the dress off. It was far too hot; he was sweating, and the dress stuck to his body, clinging like a second skin.

Except he wasn’t sure about letting the pack look at his body; he was scarred. He carried blue pregnancy lines. While the pack knew he’d mated with Dante, they hadn’t actually seen it. Finn’s cheeks prickled.

Dante cupped Finn’s face, pressing their foreheads together. “You’re beautiful,” he whispered. “Mine.”

Finn cracked a smile. He leaned into Dante, purred when Dante sought his lips. The kiss started out slow; Dante licked the seam of Finn’s mouth, slipped inside. He brushed his fingers through Finn’s hair, his fingertips slipping on sweat.

Gradually, Finn’s pulse slowed. His body wound down from the dance, and Dante held him close. Kissed down his jaw, then his throat. Marked Finn with his own scent.

Mine, Dante’s touch said. He stroked his hands down Finn’s sides, touched his chest through the filmy dress. “You’re the most beautiful omega in the world.”

Finn blushed. Everyone heard what you just said.

“Good,” Dante whispered. Let them hear it. “You’re mine. No one else’s.”

Dante leaned in, his breath rushing against Finn’s neck. Then he kissed Finn’s shoulder and bit down, his teeth sharp points on Finn’s skin. Finn gasped. Felt the swoop of his blood between his legs.

Dante growled, brushing his thumbs over Finn’s nipples. He circled them, rolled them until they hardened, straining against the dress, their shadows dancing in the firelight.

“I don’t know what I did to deserve you,” Dante whispered, trailing soft, damp kisses down Finn’s chest. His lips were warm through the dress, and his tongue rasped across Finn’s stiff nipples, leaving them damp. Finn shivered, his nerves tingling.

Foreplay was one thing, but doing this in front of the pack, their eyes intent on them...

Dante kissed down Finn’s belly, cupping it in his palms. He stroked his hands down over the pups, leaving his scent over Finn’s abdomen, marking them all. Then he reached between Finn’s legs. Finn held his breath.

Dante cupped Finn’s cock through his dress, curving his fingers around Finn’s sac. The heat of his palm lingered between Finn’s legs, and Dante rubbed his thumb down the length of Finn’s cock, gave him a light squeeze.

The pressure thrummed down Finn’s nerves, made him hard.

Dante rumbled. “Very nice.”

Everyone’s looking, Finn said, his toes curling into the dirt. Didn’t help that he’d reacted so easily to Dante.

Let them look, Dante said. Then he tightened his grip around Finn’s cock, and pleasure throbbed through Finn’s body. They’ll know you’re mine. They’ll see how much you like my touch.

Finn’s cheeks burned. I do like your touch.

Dante’s smile grew. He stroked Finn’s sac through the dress, dragged his fingertips up Finn’s cock, wrapping the filmy fabric around it. His warmth soaked into Finn’s skin, his hand rested large and steady on Finn’s back.

Then he lifted the hem of the dress up over Finn’s cock, tucking it between Finn’s cock and belly.

Finn’s cheeks scorched. Even though the dress was translucent, there had been the illusion that he was dressed, that maybe people couldn’t have seen him so easily.

Except now he was exposed, the cool air of the canyon brushing against his bare cock, down his thighs.

Finn pressed his hand over his thigh, where the scars were.

Dante watched him, his gaze mellow. “You’re perfect,” he whispered, covering Finn’s hand with his own. “This shouldn’t matter.”

Then he pulled Finn’s hand away from his thigh, and knelt by Finn’s feet. Pressed soft kisses down the scar tissue, his hands supporting Finn’s legs, Finn’s swollen belly hiding most of his face, save for a tuft of hair.

Finn’s face burned. He’d been hoping for the pack to not notice his scars. But with Dante’s kisses, the pack’s attention was drawn to his leg.

“You’re worth loving,” Dante said. “Every inch of you.”

He pressed his face against Finn’s scars, his lips damp on Finn’s skin. Then he cradled Finn’s legs, kissed up along Finn’s inner thigh, until his breath fell hot on Finn’s cock.

Finn gulped. He couldn’t see past his belly what Dante was doing, but Dante’s touch felt exquisite, all gentle and firm and careful.

Dante kissed up his cock, licking the very tip. Then he pushed his tongue against the opening of Finn’s foreskin, touching his sensitive head. Despite his reluctance to, Finn gasped, pleasure tingling down his nerves. Wanted to grind his cock against Dante, beg for more.

So do it, Dante growled in his mind.

He closed his lips lightly around Finn’s tip, flicked his tongue against Finn’s piss-slit. Finn trembled. Rolled his hips, pushing into Dante’s hot, wet mouth.

Couldn’t believe the pack was watching him fuck Dante.

Dante growled, sucking Finn inside. Finn’s breath snagged. It always felt good when Dante went down on him. He couldn’t stop his moan, couldn’t help it when his hips bucked, and his cock slid against Dante’s tongue, hitting the back of his mouth.

When Dante groaned, the vibrations of it went through Finn’s cock, into his balls. Made them draw up tight, made him wet.

Dante stroked Finn with his tongue. Each pull felt like he was reaching into Finn, tugging him closer to the edge. Dante pressed his fingers against Finn’s ass. Then he spread Finn’s cheeks, exposing his hole. Finn shuddered. They’re looking, Dante!

What they see is all mine, Dante answered, hollowing his cheeks.

Pleasure swept up Finn’s spine. He thrust at Dante, winding his fingers into Dante’s hair, trying to hold on.

Despite the pack watching, Dante knew Finn’s body, knew the fastest ways to make him come. And he was pushing Finn toward the precipice, slowly but surely, making Finn’s cock throb in his mouth. Finn panted, so hard it felt like he might explode.

Then Dante slid off, taking the heat of his mouth with him. Finn whined, his cock straining.

“So damn beautiful,” Dante whispered.

He kissed up the side of Finn’s belly, then across his chest. Met Finn’s mouth with a hot, hungry kiss. Finn tasted his own precome on Dante’s tongue, moaned when Dante pushed into his mouth, short, purposeful thrusts that reminded Finn of Dante’s cock fucking inside him.

He whimpered, his blood pounding in his veins. Needed more, even if Dante had exposed all of him, had shown him to the pack.

Dante pressed his chest against Finn’s side, wrapping his arm around Finn’s back to support him. Then he reached down, grasping Finn’s cock. Finn trembled.

“Don’t—don’t want to come before you,” Finn gasped, rolling his hips, seeking out more friction against Dante’s hand. Couldn’t help it, when Dante’s hand was warm and tight, his callused skin catching on Finn’s cock.

Then Dante pulled Finn’s foreskin down, exposing his sensitive head. Finn trembled. A couple of wolves whistled.

“I’ll decide when you come,” Dante said.

That made Finn throb.

Dante eased Finn in front of himself, pressed his chest to Finn’s back. Then he caught Finn’s hips, pulled their bodies flush, and Finn felt the hard line of Dante’s cock against his hips. It was thick, eager to thrust into him.

Finn groaned, trembling. They hadn’t even gotten to the main part of this—the mating. His hole squeezed tight.

It was part of the bonding ceremony—Finn was Dante’s to touch, Dante’s to claim. It was public, and the pack would frown on any other alpha who tried to solicit Finn henceforth.

Finn had grown even harder at the exposure, ever since Dante lifted his dress, and sucked on him. The hem of the dress remained caught between his cock and his belly, held there by his straining cock.

“Can’t believe you’re mine,” Dante murmured, running his hands down Finn’s chest, over his belly.

Finn could imagine his eyes gleaming, could imagine Dante’s smile as he stroked Finn all over, touching Finn, making his body sing.

“Ready for me?” Dante whispered, grinding his cock against Finn’s ass.

Finn whimpered. Pushed up against Dante, his slick leaking down his thighs. “Anytime.”

Dante growled. He pulled one hand away from Finn, reached behind to unbuckle his belt. Then his zipper rasped, and the thick length of his cock pushed against the small of Finn’s back, leaving a trail of precome on his dress.

Finn wanted to present, wanted to kneel for him.

“Present for me,” Dante murmured.

He slid the tip of his cock between Finn’s cheeks, wedging it there. Finn groaned, felt the delicate fabric of his dress between their bodies. It was thin—Dante could tear it apart, could fuck Finn through the dress. They’d agreed not to. Maybe later, when they got home.

Dante’s cock pushed between his cheeks, thick and blunt, a heady presence Finn couldn’t ignore.

He began to kneel. Dante slipped his arm around Finn’s chest, supporting him. When Finn’s knees touched the ground, Dante pressed a kiss to his nape, then reached down, stroking Finn’s belly.

Then he slid his fingertips over Finn’s cock, his calluses rasping down Finn’s underside. Pleasure sizzled through Finn’s nerves. Finn panted, clutching at his alpha. He couldn’t see his cock at all, but he felt precome trickling down his length.

“Who are you hard for?” Dante growled.

“You,” Finn said, his face burning. He felt Dante smile.

“Spread yourself,” Dante whispered.

Finn groaned, dragging his dress up over his hips. Reached down, grasped his cheeks. Pulled them apart, showing Dante his hole.

Dante swore, pressing his hand flat against Finn’s cheek.

Through their connection, Finn felt the weight of his hunger, the savageness of Dante’s wolf, that wanted to mount him and fuck him, knot in him and fill him with seed.

Finn’s wolf howled. It made him want to lean forward, push his ass into the air. Finn listened to it, bending forward, his belly heavy.

Dante rumbled, sliding his arm around Finn’s chest again, taking some of his weight. Then he slipped his fingers between Finn’s cheeks, sliding down to his hole. He circled Finn’s entrance with his fingertip, focused all of Finn’s attention on his light touch, the slow drag of skin on skin.

Then he tapped Finn’s hole twice, slicked his fingers up, and pushed two in.

Finn opened around him. He gasped, his body clinging around his alpha. Dante’s breath rushed out.

“So fuckin’ tight,” he growled, pushing deeper, finding Finn’s prostate. Then he stroked it, and pleasure whispered through Finn’s body. Finn jerked helplessly, his cock aching.

“Dante, please.”

“Please what?”

“I want you inside.”

There was a pause. Then Dante murmured, a smile in his voice, “I’m already inside.”

Finn’s cheeks burned. The pack was watching. His fingers slipped against his sweaty skin, and he pulled himself open wider than before. “I want your cock,” Finn whispered, barely hearing himself. “I want your knot.”

Dante rumbled low in his throat. He released Finn briefly, stepped back so he could shed his clothes. When he pressed himself against Finn again, he was all hot skin, not a stitch of clothing on him. Finn trembled.

Then Dante pushed his cock between Finn’s cheeks, hot and thick. Finn whimpered. Dante slid his tip down Finn’s ass, lingering at his hole, pushing lightly but not entering. Finn writhed. Needed Dante sliding inside, marking him.

“Mine,” Dante murmured, rolling his hips. Slick smeared between them, slippery and hot.

Finn trembled, leaking onto his alpha.

“Dante—”

Dante pushed into him. His cock stretched Finn open, solid, a weight stroking inside that Finn couldn’t ignore. His body spread around it, his nerves hummed, his balls drawn up tight.

“Mate,” Dante whispered, sinking in all the way, until his balls pressed against Finn’s ass. “Mine.”

Finn stopped thinking. He could only feel when Dante ran his hands over his body, covering him with cherry-wood scent. Their musk mingled, and Dante bit down on his shoulder, waiting until Finn’s body adjusted to him.

Then he began to thrust, slowly, each stroke lighting Finn’s nerves.

“Good?” Dante murmured.

“Yeah,” Finn gasped. “More.”

Dante growled. He fitted their hips together, wrapped his arms around Finn’s chest, caressing Finn’s belly. “What if I hurt the pups?”

“You won’t,” Finn whispered, rocking back against him, trying to take more of his alpha. “Please. Make me yours.”

Dante shivered. He rocked back, until he was almost entirely out of Finn. Then he thrust back inside, filling Finn up in a clean, smooth stroke. Finn’s breath punched out of him. He felt every inch of Dante, felt the thickness of Dante’s cock, Dante’s breath heavy on his skin.

Then Dante snapped his hips, and his cock fucked hot and hard into Finn, grinding up against his prostate.

Pleasure throbbed through his body. His own cock was so hard it hurt. “M-More!”

Dante snarled, anchoring Finn against himself. Then he began to thrust, hard, vicious, every stroke pushing deep into Finn, winding the tension and the pleasure inside him, until Finn panted and all he knew was Dante around him, Dante stroking him inside, Dante claiming every inch of his body.

Dante reached down, found Finn’s cock. He stroked Finn lightly, his cock surging inside, slippery with precome and slick. Want more pups? Dante thought.

Can’t have more, Finn thought, his mind whirling. Pregnant.

Want to put more inside you, Dante answered, his cock jerking inside Finn. Fill you up with my seed. More pups.

Then he squeezed Finn’s balls, as though he were hoping Finn would get even more fertile.

Yes, Finn thought, his entire body squeezing at the idea. I want more pups. Yours.

Dante snarled. Then his thrusts grew hard and fierce, and Finn’s body sang against him, clenching around his alpha, begging him for his seed.

Dante, please—please.

Give you my seed. My knot, Dante said, his cock massaging Finn’s prostate, making him shudder.

Close— Finn thought.

Mine, Dante answered.

Then he fucked in hard, and Finn toppled over the edge, pleasure crashing through him like lighting, razing through his nerves. His voice broke. His toes curled. All he knew was his pleasure and his alpha, Dante holding him, thrusting in, snarling as he followed Finn over.

Dante filled Finn with his seed. Then his knot began to grow. Finn trembled, his body stretching around Dante, the knot locking them both together.

His nerves hummed with the aftershocks of his release. Finn fell forward, into the sturdy cradle of Dante’s arms. It was safe here. Dante held him, Dante promised protection and love, and he was everything Finn needed.

“Mine,” Dante growled, kissing Finn’s shoulders.

Finn leaned into him, drifting, his mind hazy. The sweat on his body evaporated, cooling his skin. “Good?” he mumbled.

“Very.” Dante linked their fingers, wrapping their arms around Finn’s belly. “All mine.”

Finn smiled, moaning as Dante’s knot swelled to its fullest. Couldn’t move away from Dante, didn’t want to.

When he blinked again, he realized that there were, indeed, people beneath the flickering torches. The pack. Finn groaned, his cheeks burning. He’d forgotten about them.

“Don’t worry about the pack,” Dante whispered. “You’re beautiful. And you’re mine.”

They saw us mate! Finn said.

It doesn’t matter, does it? Dante asked. We’re still here. I’m part of the pack now.

He was. And maybe the pack had already begun to accept them, despite their pasts and their differences. Finn held on tight to Dante’s hands, looking hesitantly toward the pack. Rhett smiled. Old Bill gave a thumbs-up. Gabe and Kendrick shrugged, but they were grinning, too.

Finn’s mom had left, and so had a few others, like Finn’s aunts and Humphrey. But basking in the afterglow in Dante’s arms, Finn couldn’t bring himself to care. There were enough people who wanted them around.

“It’ll be fine,” Dante murmured, kissing the shell of Finn’s ear. “I think so.”

And maybe it was time Finn learned to trust in Dante. Dante wasn’t just his student—he was Finn’s alpha.

“Do you—do you want my ring?” Dante whispered. A flicker of uncertainty filtered through their connection; Finn’s chest tightened.

“Yes,” he said, squeezing Dante’s hand. “Please.”

Dante’s response was a flutter of hope, and then excitement. He reached behind them, tugging his discarded jeans over. Then he reached into a pocket, and pulled out two matching rings.

They had both been polished to a sheen, black walnut streaked with lines of pale cherry-wood, delicate and beautiful. It had to have taken Dante some time to craft them, between building all the cots for their pups.

“They’re beautiful,” Finn breathed. Then he held his hand up, and stared at his swollen fingers. “But I don’t know if it’ll fit.”

“I sized it for your hand now,” Dante said, nuzzling Finn’s throat. His heart thumped against Finn’s back. “I’ll make another one when your ring size stabilizes. Maybe after the next set of pups.”

Finn blushed, his skin hot. Dante hadn’t been kidding, then, about having more pups.

“‘Course I wasn’t,” Dante said. He took Finn’s hand in his own, smoothing his thumb over Finn’s knuckles. “I’ll—I’ll put it on?”

“Yes,” Finn murmured. He held his breath as Dante slipped a ring onto his ring finger. It was smooth against his skin, lightweight, firelight dancing on its polished surface.

Then the ring sat snug on his hand, and Finn’s throat tightened. He blinked back the tears that filled his eyes. Couldn’t believe this was happening, after so many years.

“Will you—will you put mine on?” Dante asked, his voice strangled.

“Yeah,” Finn breathed. He took Dante’s ring, squeezed Dante’s hand. Then he slipped Dante’s wooden band over his ring finger, pressed it down so it sat snugly on his hand, matching Finn’s own.

They were bonded. They were mates. And now, they were married.

“Yours,” Finn murmured.

“Yours,” Dante answered, hugging Finn close. “I’ll never let any harm come to you again.”

Finn bowed his head, humbled, grateful, his heart far too small to contain all his love for his alpha. I love you, he thought.

Love you, Dante answered, kissing Finn’s nape. He tangled their fingers together, his heart beating in sync with Finn’s.

“So this ceremony draws to a close,” Arnold announced, his voice ringing through the clearing around them.

Finn jumped; he’d forgotten about the pack leader. It was a little embarrassing to acknowledge that, caught up with Dante as he’d been.

“We have witnessed the joining of Finn and Dante of the Topanga pack,” Arnold continued. “Congratulations, and may Mercy shine down on you and yours.”

The wolves around them howled. Finn tipped his head up, howling, listening as Dante joined in. Their voices melded into one under the silvery moon.

Pack, they howled. Another joins us. Pack will protect.

Through the trials and tribulations they’d weathered together, Finn had watched his alpha grow. He’d watched as Dante came into his own. He’d learned that, maybe, the scars on his body didn’t matter, and neither did their pasts.

On his hand, and in the healing scar on his neck, he held a promise—that he was Dante’s, that he wouldn’t let his insecurities come between them again. That he would see Dante as his equal, as his alpha.

Dante would always stand by Finn, would offer his protection no matter what. He’d been learning to control his wolf—with Finn’s help, he would only improve.

Together, they were finally ready for a family, pups of their own, and more to come. Finn kissed Dante, hope budding in his chest. His future with Dante would only blossom from here.