“You’re working too hard,” Jaden purred. He put his hands on Cale’s shoulders and rubbed.

Cale groaned and leaned into the massage. “I’ve got a lot to do.”

“And you’ll get more done falling asleep in a bed, instead of at your desk,” Jaden pointed out.

“I know.” Cale stretched his neck, stiff from another night hunched over his desk. He could at least buy a couch for the office, seeing as he was burning himself out and not bothering to go back to his trailer every night.

“What are you even doing?” Jaden asked. “You don’t have that much to do here, not until the ground thaws.”

The alpha nodded in silent agreement. Jaden slipped his hands around Cale’s shoulders and slipped one beneath his shirt, rubbing teasingly along his chest.

“I know what you’re doing,” the omega whispered into his mate’s ear.

“Hm?” Cale asked, distracted by the breath ghosting along his neck and sending shivers up his spine.

“You.” Jaden nipped his neck. “Are.” A cheek nuzzle. “Avoiding.” A kiss. “Me.” He punctuated the last word with harder, deeper kiss. Just as Cale darted out his tongue to taste the omega, Jaden pulled back with a smirk. “How’s that working out for you?”

* * *

Cale awoke with a start. The smell and taste of Jaden, and his taunts, still playing in his head.

“Fuck,” he groaned, pushing away from his desk.

He had fallen asleep there again and had the muscle aches to show for it. He stretched, wishing the omega’s massage hadn’t been a dream.

Then again, he wished he wasn’t having the dreams at all. Two months since the cabin. Over a month since he’d even seen his mate and he couldn’t get the man out of his head.

Jaden invaded his dreams, whether he caught himself absently day-dreaming about the other wolf or woke up with a hard on and hazy memories of Jaden. Or worse, waking up after a wet dream. Luckily, that had yet to happen in his office. But, many a morning in his trailer had started out with a shower and a load of laundry.

Limping on a half-asleep leg, Cale made his way to the one filing cabinet in his office and the coffee maker on top. Luckily, there was water in it already. He stuck in a single-use cup and started it brewing.

While there was a lot to do in his territory, there was also plenty of time to get it done. The Jaden in his dream hadn’t been wrong; he was working himself overtime here in an effort to avoid returning to Maple Ridge and the omega waiting there. The more he caught himself thinking of Jaden, the more he tried to throw himself into his work.

After two cups of coffee, Cale was ready to try and face another day. A package arrived and he settled into his office, wishing for a couch.

The package was from whoever the secretary at Maple Ridge currently was. Even though Cale was happy to take on the workload, there was a lot of administrative stuff that needed to be done that Cale didn’t have the skills or resources for.

Diana had given Cale permission to assign her secretary as many of those tasks as he needed to. At first, it had been Tanner, until he went on paternity leave and was replaced, much to Cale’s dismay, by Drake. Everything he requested from Drake was sloppy, half-assed, and unorganized. It was almost more work deciphering it than it would have been to just do it himself.

And then, a month or so ago, everything had changed. It seemed that either Diana had replaced Drake or he had found his stride as her secretary. Every package he sent was everything Cale needed and more. Things were thoroughly researched, meticulously organized, and downright impressive.

The first time the improved package arrived Cale thought Tanner was back. At least, until he finished leafing through it and found it was even better than what Tanner would send. Tanner was a fantastic secretary; there was no question of that. But, he had his own controlled chaos style of organization. Cale’s mother seemed to share the same style, so she and Tanner were the perfect pair. In fact, Conner subscribed to the same chaotic filing. Cale, on the other hand, had always been more finicky about it.

After the first package from Drake, Cale suddenly regretted every negative thought he had ever had about Tanner’s methods. In fact, Drake didn’t even actually send packages; he sent envelopes. Inside, were just a couple of pieces of paper with the bare minimum of what Cale had requested.

He had heaved a sigh of relief the first time one of the improved packages came. It didn't take long, however, to realize that they weren’t from Tanner.

He tore the newest open and pulled out a binder. Tanner had never once sent a binder. Granted, Tanner's were still quite a bit more thorough than the ones from Drake, but they were always haphazardly paperclipped together and usually had a few sticky notes stuck in.

Thanks to the cover page, Cale knew immediately that this was the contact information he had requested for some area contractors. Drake would have sent literally just the names and phone numbers, and maybe the name of the actual company if Cale was lucky. Tanner, on the other hand would actually have sent him some more information, like some pricing and company details, things like that.

But these, these were absolutely amazing. Cale flipped through it grinning. There were actually pictures of some of the work that the companies had done, in addition to price quotes, and even their upcoming availability. Whoever had put this together had actually taken the time to contact the companies and speak with them.

He flipped through the pages quickly with satisfaction, sending the scent of Jaden wafting up to his nose. He snorted in annoyance. Great, now he was imagining the scent of his true mate.

Cale wondered if he'd be able to get this new secretary away from his mother after Tanner returned from paternity leave. This level of organization was probably almost too much for Diana. Plus, Tanner had worked for her for a long time; he had a feeling she wouldn’t want to give him up. Cale hoped this wolf would be willing to come to the new pack and work for him, because this was exactly the style of secretary he needed.

He opened the binder again and found an addendum at the back that included information for more specialized contractors, something he hadn't even asked for, but of course would need down the road. Sometimes he felt like the secretary was one or two steps ahead of him.

His thoughts were interrupted and he looked up in surprise as someone knocked on his office door.

“Come in,” he called.

The door opened and Conner stepped in. “Hello, Cale.”

“Conner!” he said in surprise. “What are you doing here?”

“Well, I hadn't seen your territory yet and figured I should come check on my brother.”

“As you can see, I'm doing quite well.”

Conner looked around, taking in the scattered assortment of binders and papers in the office that held nothing else, but a shoddy desk, a tattered chair, and the beat-up file cabinet. The only new thing in the entire office was the coffee maker. Cale grinned ruefully; he knew how ridiculous the office looked.

“I suppose I could use some furniture,” he conceded.

Conner laughed. “You could say that.”

“Are you actually here to see how I'm doing or have you come to try to drag me home?”

“I'm not going to drag you home, if you don't want to come. But, there is a full moon in a couple of nights and I thought, if nothing else, maybe I could spend it here with you. I hate the idea of you all by yourself during one.”

“That would be nice, but… I should probably just come home. I ran out of stuff that I have to do here several weeks ago,” Cale admitted.

Conner cast another look around the room. “So, I see.”

Cale could hear the note of sarcasm in his brother's voice. “I mean, obviously I still have a lot to do. But, most of it is administrative stuff that I can do from Maple Ridge. I have no other reason to actually physically be here. There's not much that can be done until we’re ready to break ground this spring. I'm just…”

“Avoiding Jaden?”

“Yeah…”

Conner nodded. “I wondered.”

“How is he? Do you see him much?” Cale hesitated, before asking the real question that was bothering him. “Has he stayed with the pack?”

“Good, yes, and yes.” Conner smiled at his brother. “In fact, he's doing very well. I don't know if it was something you said or the advice I gave him, but he certainly is making an effort to get into the pack spirit. He's working, and meeting new pack members, and making friends. He's going to the full moons as well.”

“I'm glad,” Cale said in relief. “I was worried he'd try to leave to avoid me.”

“I wouldn't be surprised if he considered it,” said Conner. “But, at least for now, it seems like he's here to stay.”

“Well, like I said I really don't actually have anything keeping me here. If you like, I can give you a little tour, not that there's much to see yet. I just need to pack up a few things in here to take with me and then we can go.”

“Sounds good to me.”

“Coffee?”

“Sure, why not.” Conner watched for a moment while his brother got coffee for him. “I'm surprised you actually have a second mug.”

“They came in a set of two,” Cale muttered.

Conner snorted in amusement. “Looking forward to seeing your true mate?” He couldn't resist the taunt.

“Sort of.” In all honesty, Cale was sure his heart was already beating faster at the prospect of even just seeing Jaden again. He wondered if the omega was having second thoughts about their decision to stay apart; God knew he was. The entire point of being separate was so that the thoughts of the omega didn't distract him while he was setting up his new pack. And yet it seemed like all he could do was think about the other wolf. If Jaden was already proving to be such a distraction, then what was the point of them being apart?

* * *

As excited as Cale was to see Jaden again, he did not expect it to be so sudden. He had only just dumped his suitcases at his house, and was heading across the territory to pay a visit to his mother, when who should be walking down the path the opposite direction, but the omega.

They both froze mid-step, as their eyes locked.

“Cale,” Jaden said in surprise. “I didn't know you were already back…”

“I literally just got here.”

“It's… Good to see you…”

“You too,” Cale said softly. “What are you uh… up to?”

“I just finished working and I was about to go grab a bite for dinner.”

Cale nodded.

Jaden nodded back, as dozens of conflicting feelings stirred inside him. He had been thinking of Cale for weeks, but now that Cale was finally here all he could do was wish the alpha had given him some more time alone. But, at the same time he wanted nothing more than to grab the other man, give him a big kiss, and say ‘forget the five-year thing, I'm ready to commit.’

“Care to join me?” Jaden asked awkwardly.

To his relief the alpha’s look of surprise was mixed with one of pleasure. “I'd be glad to.”

They walked to the lodge together, close enough to almost hold hands but not actually doing it. Their conversation started off with the awkward ‘how have you been, how is the territory, how's the family.’ It shouldn't have been awkward small talk, but they knew the topic they were both avoiding.

The lodge was mostly empty, so they were able to have their pick of tables. In spite of the lack of a crowd, they chose a little one tucked away in the back.

Once they were sitting, the conversation seemed to flow a little bit better. Jaden asked Cale a couple of questions about his territory that allowed the alpha to go off about it. He wasn't exactly sure how long he'd been talking Jaden's ear off before he apologized

“Sorry, I guess I get a little carried away about my territory.”

“That's okay; I can tell it's something you’re really enthusiastic about. And I know it's kind of consuming your life.” Jaden shot him a knowing look and Cale felt himself flushing. “Besides,” Jaden felt compelled to add, “I may end up there someday.”

Cale smiled shyly at him. “You just might.”

“Good evening. Can I take your orders?”

To Cale’s surprise the waiter who showed up at their table was none other than Drake! Even though he had suspected that Drake was no longer playing secretary to his mother, Cale still hadn't expected to spot him so soon.

“New job?” he asked, in spite of the fact it was obvious.

“Better job,” said Drake. “I was not cut out to be a secretary. Honestly, I'm not entirely a fan of being wait staff either. But, it's something I have to do before I can actually get into the kitchen and cook. So, I'm willing to stick it out and give it my best.”

“I'm glad you found something,” said Cale. “I could tell you weren’t very happy working for my mother, but you are a fantastic cook.”

Drake beamed at the praise. “Thank you,” he said wholeheartedly. “And thank you to Jaden, too.”

Jaden smiled at him. “Glad I could help.”

Before Cale could ask what exactly Jaden had helped with, Drake gave his notepad a little flourish. “So, what would you like for dinner?”

They placed their orders and Drake hurried away.

“He looks happy,” said Cale, as Drake returned to the kitchen. “I'm glad he was able to find something else. I had a feeling he had stopped working for my mother; nice to see I was right.”

“You had a feeling?”

Cale explained about the tasks he had been assigning to his mother's secretary, and the vast improvement between Drake – and even Tanner – compared to the new, amazing packages he was getting.

“Don't tell Tanner I said that,” Cale added, as he realized he was talking about Jaden's brother-in-law. “His work was always amazing. I just prefer the style of whoever is working for my mother right now over his.”

“Your mother does seem to like a measure of chaos,” said Jaden.

Cale laughed. “Exactly. I suppose you could say I'm a little obsessive-compulsive when it comes to organization.”

Jaden smiled. “I don't think you can even really call it ‘organization’ if there isn't a bit of obsessiveness.”

“Anyway, it is nice to see that Drake is settling in. I hear you've gotten a job too?”

“Yeah, I figured I might as well try to take advantage of being in a pack and see where it takes me.”

“How are you liking it so far?”

“It's different. But I think I could get used to this. It is nice to not have to worry about where I'll be staying tomorrow night. And actually having money that I'm saving instead of spending it almost faster than I earn it.”

Cale nodded in understanding. “I'm happy to hear you seem to be settling in a bit.”

“I guess things are going pretty well for both of us. When do you plan on going back to your territory again?”

“I'm not sure; I really didn't need to be there for as long as I was. Most of the stuff I was doing I could just as easily have done from here.”

“I did wonder about that,” Jaden said.

Cale quirked an eyebrow at him, unsure of what he meant. It occurred to him that if his brother had figured out he was avoiding Jaden, then it was quite possible that the omega had realized it as well. He sighed, embarrassed. “I hate to make it seem like I was avoiding you, but I admit I was trying to put a little bit of space between us, to clear my head.”

Jaden looked a little surprised, but after a moment he nodded. “I suppose that makes sense. Did it work? Because I can't…” the omega trailed off.

“To be honest,” Cale continued hesitantly, “not really. I haven't been able to stop thinking about you.” He laughed weakly. “I said I didn't want you to be a distraction and that's all you have been.”

“Sorry,” Jaden muttered.

“No, no,” said Cale quickly. “I didn't mean it like that; it's hardly your fault. Half of the reason I came back was to see you again,” he admitted.

“Really?”

“Look, I know we said we're going to wait, and I mean to stick to that, so I don't want you to feel any sort of pressure. But…” Cale hesitated. “I just want you to know that I figure since you’re kind of distracting anyway…” He laughed nervously. “I just want you to know that if you change your mind anytime soon, I'll be waiting…”

Jaden swallowed nervously and licked his lips. One hand went unconsciously to his slightly swollen belly. “Actually… I've been thinking about you a lot too. I told you I don't want to be a house omega.”

“And I completely understand, I would never force you to – ”

“I know,” Jaden said. “But, that's part of why I started working. I'm developing job skills and finding a place for myself here. So, when the two of us are ready, well I guess you should know that I intend to keep working. But…”

“But?”

“While we're still figuring things out, I'd like to spend more time with you.”

A smile spread across Cale's face. “I'd like that too.” He laughed, and cleared his throat in embarrassment. “I replayed every conversation we had and everything we did in that cabin over and over again in my mind,” he confessed. “And two days wasn't nearly enough time with you.”

“I feel the same way,” Jaden said.

“So, where do we go from here?”

“You're the alpha. What do you think?”

Cale shook his head. “I’m the alpha, but you're my future mate. And I value your opinion.”

Jaden smiled. “I guess, the first step is to stop avoiding each other?”

“That would probably help.”

They shared an almost awkward smile, punctuated by a sense of relief. After a few false starts they managed to get a good conversation flowing again. Time flew by, and they hardly even noticed that Drake had arrived with the food until they were halfway done eating.

In spite of how hungry he had been to begin with, Jaden quickly filled up. He found that while he was hungry often enough, his stomach capacity actually seemed to be shrinking. He hoped that Cale wouldn't notice his lack of appetite; of course, it seemed he wasn't that lucky.

“I'm fine,” he said quickly when Cale asked if he was alright. “Just nervous I guess,” he added, hoping Cale would accept that excuse. To his relief the alpha nodded in understanding.

“I tend to eat more when I'm nervous,” Cale admitted.

Jaden nearly said, “Me too.” He bit the response back just in time and said, “I'll keep that in mind.” A slight twinge of guilt nagged at him and he wondered if he should go ahead and tell Cale that he was carrying their child. He quickly dismissed the idea. While the alpha obviously did want to pursue a relationship, perhaps sooner rather than later, Jaden wanted to make sure his decision wasn't influenced by the prospect of pups.

Before they knew it, their plates were cleared and dinner was over. They talked for a while longer, before it became obvious that they were just stalling for time, both reluctant to end the night.

“I was planning on swinging by my mother's office, to see if she's in and let her know I'm back in town,” said Cale. “Want to come with me?”

An almost mischievous smile spread across Jaden's face. “I'd love to.”

“It looks like it's going to rain,” Cale commented as they walked across the territory toward his mother's office.

Jaden nodded in agreement. “Smells like it too. Actually, it smells like snow.”

“I think there was sleet in the forecast,” Cale said. He laughed, shaking his head as they walked. Here he was, with his true mate, discussing the weather.

Nobody answered his knock on his mother's office door, so he opened it and stepped inside. For a moment he almost didn't recognize it. Gone were the stacks of paper and haphazard piles that had once been scattered across the office. The bulletin board – once covered by so many little notes you couldn't even see the cork backing – had been neatly rearranged and decluttered. His mother’s small calendar, usually so covered in scribbles it was illegible, had been replaced by three much larger calendars, each with neatly written notes and appointments that he could practically read from across the room.

Cale honestly wasn't even sure if it was the same desk, it had been so long since he'd seen the top of it.

“Alright there?” asked Jaden with a smirk.

Cale let out a slight disbelieving chuckle and nodded. “I barely recognize it,” he said. “I guess my mother isn’t here though.”

“She's away at a dinner appointment,” said Jaden confidently. “They're looking to renovate one of the shops in town.”

“Oh.” Cale was still looking around the room, too distracted by the change to really think about how or why Jaden knew what his mother was up to.

The phone started to ring.

“Excuse me,” said Jaden. He slipped past Cale into the office and sat down at the desk, making himself right at home. Before Cale could say anything, Jaden had picked up the phone and answered. “Maple Ridge, Alpha Diana's office. This is Jaden, how can I help you?”

“What are you – ” Cale began.

Jaden made a hand motion to shush him, before pulling out a pad of paper and a pen. Cale watched as Jaden took notes about whatever the caller was saying. The pen moved across the paper smoothly, leaving behind a neat and orderly script that had become very familiar to Cale in recent weeks.

“Thank you so much, will that be all? Take care, have a good evening.” Jaden hung up the phone and looked up at Cale, his face looked neutral, but the alpha could see a smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. “Sorry about that.”

“You,” was all Cale could say.

Jaden inclined his head in a slight, amused nod.

“You’re my mother’s secretary,” Cale said in disbelief.

This time, Jaden broke into a wide smile and nodded again. “I'm afraid so.” He stood and crossed the room to a filing cabinet. He rifled through it for a moment before pulling out a folder and turning back to Cale. “This is the latest information you needed. I had a couple of things I wanted to finish it off, and I was going to drop it in the mail for you tomorrow.” He fixed Cale with a stern look. “The next time you decide to leave your territory and come back to Maple Ridge, or vice versa, I expect you to let me know, so that I don't mail anything important to the wrong location.”

“Yeah,” Cale said, blinking in surprise. “Yeah, I'll let you know… How did this happen? You said you don't have any skills, but you’re…” He gestured around his mother's office. “You’re amazing. I wasn't lying at dinner; the packages you've been sending me have been phenomenal. It's like you’re one step ahead of me on everything that I need. You know what I'm looking for before I even realize it myself. Where did you learn all this?”

Jaden shrugged. “I was kind of surprised myself,” he admitted. “I mean, I did a lot of odd jobs, usually office related, for alphas when we stayed with their packs. I guess I've just spent time in a lot of different offices and I've seen what works and what doesn't… I just sort of picked it all up.”

“So, how did you end up working for my mother?”

The phone rang again. Jaden winced. “Let's get out of here before I feel obligated to take the calls.” At Cale's nod, he returned the folder to the filing cabinet and they let themselves out of the office.

The pair walked out, heading down the path that led toward the residences.

“So, after I decided that I wanted to try working here, I went to consult with Drake about possible jobs. Tanner suggested I work in the restaurant, so we went there to do an interview. Drake and I got to talking and he mentioned that you asked him to reach out to a bunch of different packs, to see if anyone would be interested in transferring to yours after you get it started.”

Cale nodded. The contact information for the packs had been the first of the fantastic packages he had gotten, and his first indication that Drake may not be working for his mother anymore.

“Drake wasn't sure where to begin and mentioned that he's terrible on the phone.” Jaden paused and chuckled. “I don't know what possessed me, maybe it was because you were involved…” He shot a shy look at Cale. “But I have a lot of connections with different packs that my father and I left on good terms, and I decided that I might as well go ahead and make the calls for him. He took me back to Diana's office and I was putting together the packet for you, when your mother came back.” Jaden laughed. “I admit, I was a little freaked out, but Drake explained what we were doing and she didn't seem to mind. In fact, she sat down and started talking with us. Drake was saying that he's always dreamed of being a chef and I was telling your mother all about the different alphas that I've worked with. Before I knew it, I was hired.”

Cale laughed. “I can't believe it was you this entire time. I… never mind.”

“What?”

“Well, I had a feeling it wasn't Tanner and I knew it couldn't be Drake… I've actually been thinking that after Tanner's paternity leave is over I would approach whoever was filling in for him with my mother, and invite you to come be my secretary once my pack is up and running.”

“Really?” asked Jaden.

“I told you, I wasn't kidding when I went on and on about how great the work you've been doing is.” Cale snorted in amusement. “No wonder Connor was so amused when I was telling him how impressed I am with your work.”

“That amused him?”

“He kind of figured out that we’re true mates,” Cale admitted. “I'm sorry.”

“I'm afraid my brother knows too,” he confessed with a weak smile.

They walked a little way in silence, but hadn't gone far when the skies opened. It wasn't rain or snow, but a nasty, icy rain, with chunks big enough to sting as it as it pelted them.

Cale quickly got his bearings. They were closer to his house than they were to any other public building, and Omega Row was much further away.

“We need to get inside,” he said. “My place isn’t far!”

“Lead the way!” Jaden said, raising his voice over the sound of the increasingly heavy rain.

The two broke into a run, holding their jackets up above their heads as shields. The temperature had obviously dropped during dinner and what was left of the snow that had melted during the afternoon had turned to ice already. The rain fell harder, making the already slick pavement and the grass beside it even more treacherous on two legs.

“We should change,” Cale said, as the rain grew so thick they could hardly see where they were going.

Instead of answering, Jaden stopped and quickly shed his clothes. Cale did the same. The sleet stung as it hit their bare skin. By the time they pulled off their last articles of clothing, they were both absolutely freezing. Jaden started to roll his clothes up into a bundle that he could carry as a wolf.

“Forget them; people ditch their clothes around the territory all the time. We’ll come back for them or they’ll end up in lost and found.” As soon as he was sure that Jaden was listening, Cale began to change.

It was a different world as wolves. Their fur shielded them from the painful sleet and the chill. They started to run, but it wasn't the same kind of frantic dash they had been doing as humans. This was a fun run. This was what wolves were made to do.

As they made steady progress toward Cale's house, they dodged and weaved playfully together, practically romping in the sleet. By the time the alpha’s house came into view, the sleet had changed over to snow.

They ran around the yard together, playing chase and tackling each other, snapping and nipping in the falling snow.

At last, tongues lolling out happily, they trotted up the steps onto the porch. After giving himself a good shake and sending little icicles flying, Cale changed back into a human. He shivered at the sudden change of temperature and quickly opened the door. Jaden shook off and changed behind him, before following him into the house. The two were both laughing and still breathless from their romp.

“It’s really cold in here,” said Jaden.

“I'm afraid I haven't bothered with my heat since I just got home,” Cale said. “I’ll turn it on and get us and towels.”

Jaden rubbed his arms, trying to warm himself. “I don't suppose I could borrow any clothes?”

“Of course.” Cale turned, intending to say more, but his words died on his lips as he bumped into the omega, who had started following him.

They stared at each other for a moment, mere inches apart. Then, they moved as one, crushing their lips together and throwing their arms around each other. The need for towels, never mind clothes, was quickly forgotten.

They kissed and clutched at each other almost desperately, making up for the weeks apart. Cale had Jaden pushed up against the wall, and was busy nipping at every exposed inch of skin he could reach, when he put a hand against the wall to brace himself and noticed just how cold it actually was.

He nuzzled his mate’s ear, and murmured, “Shall we do it in a real bed this time?”

“Please.” It wasn't just a simple 'please let's go to bed', but a half-whimpered, eager promise of things to come.

The urge to continue their game of chase struck Cale, and he nipped Jaden on the earlobe before turning and running up the stairs toward his room. Jaden quickly followed.

They raced into the bedroom and started to wrestle, each trying to toss the other onto the bed. Cale played it safe; wanting to make sure that Jaden was as into it as he was, when the omega got the upper hand and slung him onto his bed, quickly climbing up on top of him.

Jaden straddled him, playfully pinning him down, before pressing their lips together. He gently lowered himself until he was completely on top of the alpha. For a moment, their body heat was enough. The warmth emanating from them was like fire everywhere their bare skin met. Cale's fingers trailed down his back making him shiver, even as their heat seemed to soak into him. At last, Jaden shivered one too many times and reluctantly rolled off of his mate.

“About that heat?” he asked, with a rueful smile.

Cale rolled on top of him with a growl. He kissed the omega deeply, then bit his shoulder, just hard enough to elicit a yelp. With a mischievous grin, he pulled off of the other wolf and sprinted toward the thermostat. Cale was back in record time and saw that Jaden had wiggled under the sheets and was waiting for him with a seductive smile.

It was an invitation he couldn’t refuse. Cale quickly slipped beneath the covers and pulled the omega close. Jaden shivered as Cale pressed against him. “You’re cold,” he murmured.

“It’s cold out,” Cale chuckled.

“Well, I better warm you up.” Making sure to keep the blankets over them, Jaden straddled his mate and settled in, chest against chest. He nuzzled his way from Cale’s shoulder to his ear, kissing and nipping.

The alpha intended to let the other wolf have his way and just bask in the moment, but the desire to return the kisses quickly overtook him. After weeks of dreaming almost constantly of being together again, Cale couldn’t stand to wait another moment. He reached up and grabbed Jaden by the hair, pulling his head up until he could crush their mouths together. Jaden moaned and eagerly returned the kiss as Cale invaded his mouth with his tongue. Cale trailed his other hand down the omega’s back, ticking and teasing as he went. The light fingernail scratches and fingertip brushes sent shivers down Jaden’s back. Cale tightened his grip and rolled them. The blanket flapped free, sending a much less pleasurable shiver through both of them.

“We have got to do this when it’s warmer,” Jaden said.

Cale tucked the blanket back around them. “I agree,” he purred. He sat up, not enough to let the icy air in again, but enough to run his hands down Jaden’s chest. “I want you spread out where I can see you, not hiding under the covers.”

Jaden’s breath hitched, first from pleasure, then from nervousness as Cale’s hands moved over his growing belly. To his relief, the alpha appeared not to notice that he was bigger than he had been last time. He wasn’t showing much yet, but Jaden could feel the firmness in his abdomen that hadn’t been there before. Then, one of Cale’s hands wrapped around his dick and his thoughts scattered.

The omega arched up as Cale stroked him. Jaden hardly noticed Cale’s finger until it slipped inside him. He gasped in a mix of surprise and ecstasy.

“You’re already ready for me,” growled Cale.

“I’ve been ready for weeks,” admitted Jaden. “I haven’t been able to stop thinking about you.”

“Same, but you know what?”

“What?”

Cale leaned down and gave him a long, deep kiss. He worked in a second finger and pushed them deeper, searching for Jaden’s prostate. He brushed it successfully, sending the omega bucking beneath him with a cry.

“The real thing is so much better,” he breathed in answer.

“Way better,” agreed Jaden. The words came out as more of a gasp than anything else. 

Cale chuckled and worked his fingers until the omega was writhing beneath him. Jaden ran his hands down Cale’s back and over his ass.  He let one linger on the round, firm cheek, and trailed his other one around Cale’s thigh. His fingertips gently ghosted across Cale’s balls. The alpha jerked in surprise and pleasure, then adjusted himself to give his mate better access. Jaden cupped Cale in his palm, then slid his fingers across Cale’s dick. A sound, almost like a whine escaped Cale as Jaden wrapped his fingers around the alpha’s cock and stroked.

It really was so much better than his daydreams. 

At some point the sheets slipped off of them, but neither noticed the cold.   

Cale trailed kisses up and down Jaden’s neck and across his cheeks. Each time he passed the omega’s mouth, he kissed him deeply. Their tongues danced as they tasted each other, over and over. Then, with a gentle kiss at the corner of his mate’s mouth, Cale moved on again, kissing back across his cheeks. He felt Jaden nuzzle his ear as he pressed a kiss to the omega’s neck, inhaling his sweet scent.

“I want you,” Jaden breathed in his ear. “Inside me.” 

“Now?” Cale teased, withdrawing his fingers just a little. 

Instead of answering, Jaden released Cale’s dick and raised his hips, presenting himself. Cale pressed one more kiss to his neck, then removed his fingers. He quickly adjusted himself and began to press his dick into the omega’s tight ass. Jaden groaned and pushed back against him. Cale’s knot swelled and they both moaned together.

Once he was buried, knot and all, in the omega, Cale leaned down and kissed him. This time, it was a long, slow romantic kiss. Savoring the taste of the omega Cale ran his hands down Jaden’s chest, reveling in the shivers he caused. Jaden was practically begging when Cale finally gave in and lowered his hands to the other man’s dick. He pulled out, then pressed back in at the same moment he grasped Jaden. Jaden arched up beneath him with a cry, nearly forcing Cale’s dick out and then taking it back, even deeper, as he lowered himself back to the bed.

“You’re tight.”

“Maybe you’re just big,” Jaden shot back. “Not that size is what matters…” 

“It’s how you use it…” Cale finished. Then, he grinned and proceeded to show Jaden just what he could do. All too soon his knot felt tight and swollen. He sped up his hand, pumping the omega’s cock as Jaden moaned and bucked beneath him. The alpha’s knot was rock hard and almost painfully engorged as it locked them together.

It was over with a set of howls. Jaden clenched around Cale and practically convulsed as he came. Hot semen splattered across Cale’s stomach, even as Jaden felt Cale’s filling him. Cale collapsed onto him, unable to pull apart until his knot released them. The omega rolled to his side, letting his mate roll with him.

They snuggled together under the covers. The snow had changed back into rain and they could hear it falling on the roof above. The only other sound was the soft whoosh of the heat as it came up through the vents. The air on their faces felt slightly warmer than it had before, but neither could say if it was from the central heat or their activity. 

“Do you need to get back to Omega Row?” Cale asked. He could feel his knot slowly shrinking back down. 

“Nah, my father is used to me working a bit late now.” Jaden relaxed against him. “I’d like to stay… if you don’t mind.” 

“Please do.” 

They shared another kiss.