After Jimmy left, Francis dropped to the couch, sitting in the sweat puddle they’d created with their sex. It wasn’t love making, but it was close. Hot damn, he’d almost allowed Jimmy to bite him. His neck tingled, and he reached up, touching the spot, wondering if mating with Jimmy was wise. They could hardly even stand to be in the same room.

He’d fucked up, walking out on Jimmy like that. He should have stuck around. There were a lot of should haves. He’d screwed up his life. He should have been a better person when he’d been a kid. Maybe if he would have cut others a break, then he’d have real friends like Max and Jamie had each other.

Francis stood and grabbed a towel, getting it damp before wiping down the couch. He showered, then tried to sleep. It was almost useless, the tossing and turning kept him up, his brain refusing to shut down. Finally, he slept for a few hours. He spent the next few days puttering around the house, cleaning and painting, taking care of damage from the previous renters. He patched a few shingles on the roof, then fixed a window. Homeownership suited him. He liked having a place that was his, where he didn't have to remember what alias he was using while undercover. He finally felt safe and protected, and his inner Zeta purred in contentment.

Jamie sent a text, asking him over. He went happily, not only for the promised food, but he wanted to talk to Jamie and Max to see if they had any ideas on how to win Jimmy over. It was stupid, but he had to try to get their take on the issue since they were friends with Jimmy.

When he showed up, he noticed a truck that looked like Jimmy's, and he paused. They hadn't said he'd be here.

The door opened, and Francis’ heart almost beat right out of his chest. Jimmy stared at him, his lips twisted up on one side, brows bunched. Then Max was there, his arm around Jimmy’s shoulder. Jamie stepped out from the house and moved close, his smile wide.

“Come on in, Kirby. Neutral ground so you two can talk,” Jamie said.

“I wouldn’t call this neutral,” Francis quipped.

Jimmy’s lips twisted even more, and he shoved Max’s hand off his shoulder. “Told you he wasn’t willing to talk.”

Jamie squeezed his shoulder, hard. Francis yelped. “Hey, don’t do that. I am willing to talk no matter what he says.”

Jimmy stalked out to them, anger rolling off him in waves. The only reason Francis didn’t run was Jamie’s hold on him.

Jimmy ignored the gibe and exclaimed, “A year. A full year and you didn’t even call or text. No email. Nothing.”

“Yes, we’ve established I’m a dick,” Francis said.

“No, you’ve got to do better than that,” Jimmy spat out.

Jamie put more pressure on his shoulder and steered him towards their front door. “Let’s take this inside. I don’t think you two want the whole town to know your business. You can go to the basement. Just don’t break any furniture. We’re taking the baby out to get ice cream. Well, the baby isn’t getting any, but we are.”

“Fine,” Jimmy retorted.

“Yeah, fine,” Francis said, all of a sudden feeling like a bratty child who was being punished by his parents.

Jamie and Max marched them downstairs and read out some rules they were supposed to follow. Francis very nearly rolled his eyes, but deep down he knew Max and Jamie were just trying to help.

The sound of the door slamming above meant Max, Jamie, and their baby had left. Jimmy stared at him for a long time, his dark eyes measuring and taking stock. He felt small and worthless. Pain flashed as his thoughts bounced over last year and him leaving. What he'd done had been stupid. He never should have walked out. One call, a text, even an email would have changed everything, but he'd been down the regret road before. He'd let his fears overwhelm him, and instead of staying and talking it out with Jimmy, he'd run.

“Aren’t you going to say anything?” Jimmy’s voice was low, sadness seeping from him.

“What do you want me to say? I know I fucked up, but I want another chance.”

Jimmy shook his head, his eyes wild. “You think you deserve another shot?”

“Look, I had a job to do after the undercover operation ended. I left. We hadn’t made any promises. I get that your angry, but it’s not like we were engaged or anything.” He shrugged, trying to remain calm but knowing he was acting like a dick. He just couldn’t help himself.

Jimmy moved fast, and Francis put up his arm to block the hit, but no hit came.

"I never said we were engaged. But it was more than a one-night stand, and you know it." Jimmy pulled him close. "I know you felt what I felt that night. Now, I want the truth.” Jimmy’s voice was razor sharp, anger filling the space, taking out all the air in the room until Francis couldn’t help but respond, albeit with a lie, but he did answer.

“I’ve told you the truth.”

Jimmy threw back his head and roared with laughter. It almost felt like the room shook, or maybe it was Francis shaking. The laughter continued and Jimmy’s neck was exposed. Francis wanted nothing more than to run his tongue up that column, licking to his ear.

Desire filled him, and his cock expanded. Jimmy stopped laughing, his smile disappearing. Jimmy shook his head, and his lips turned down into a deeper frown, showing his anger.

“No. No way are we having sex again until you talk and tell me the truth. You’re hiding something. I know it.”

The challenge Jimmy set up was too much to ignore. He drew in a deep breath, smelling the sexy Alpha. Jimmy shook his head again but moved closer. They were both riding on desire, edging close to the heat that would take them to heaven.

“Tell me,” Jimmy demanded.

Francis moved fast, jumping up and wrapping his legs around Jimmy’s waist. He mashed their lips together and fisted his hands in his lover’s hair. Jimmy struggled at first, but then strong arms embraced him, and Francis knew he’d won…for now.

He ripped Jimmy's shirt off, then shimmied out of his own pants. In a heartbeat, they were on the floor, Jimmy above him. He lifted his legs and wrapped them around Jimmy's waist, pulling him closer. Jimmy's dark eyes searched his face, and his heart filled with love. He should tell Jimmy the truth, but it hurt too much.

Jimmy slipped in, his face twisting with pleasure as he hit bottom. He stared into Jimmy’s eyes, emotions growing between them as he saw into Jimmy’s soul. It frightened Francis, making him wonder if he’d survive this.

The last two times they’d had sex, there’d been a lot of anger mixed in. This time it was sweeter. Jimmy lowered and rested his forehead against Francis’, their breaths combining as they made love.

Jimmy teased his nipples, then reached between them, stroking his cock. He was going to get off soon, but he wanted it to last. He pushed Jimmy’s arm away, noticing the way Jimmy flinched. He didn’t want that, so he cupped Jimmy’s face and held onto him as their gazes connected. While hate sex was fine and dandy, this time Francis wanted more.

Something magical happened in that second. Francis' heart filled his chest, making it hard to breathe. Jimmy's movements slowed as he lowered, their lips met and tongues tangled. He held onto Jimmy, hands grabbing onto that strong back. The kiss ended, and Francis' hands pressed his head closer, directing Jimmy's mouth to his neck. He craved the bite that would make Jimmy his, but fear seeped out too.

His apprehension must have filtered through to Jimmy as he nibbled on the gland but didn’t bite. Francis hadn’t even known if his gland would raise enough to let Jimmy bond with him like a traditional Alpha and Omega pair. Another peculiarity of his Zeta designation, one that made him unattractive to most Alphas, was his lack of gland showing. He’d never cared enough about another Alpha for that to matter.

Jimmy's teeth grazed over the sensitive area, and Francis could feel it was swollen, aching in need for Jimmy to claim him. A thrill of excitement pumped through him. No doubt, Jimmy wanted to bite him if his movements could be trusted. Francis wasn’t defective like other Alphas had claimed, using the knowledge to throw abuse his way.

He groaned, and Jimmy's whole body shivered. He was about to say something when the pressure in his ass grew at an alarming rate as Jimmy's knot swelled. Then Jimmy's hold grew tighter, and a deep growl filled his throat.

His teeth snapped sharply; his fingernails dug into Francis’ shoulders. The earlier gentleness was gone. Instead, the full Alpha beast was in place. Francis met Jimmy thrust for thrust, reveling in the heat. They were locked together, Jimmy’s knot holding him in place as he brought Francis closer to orgasm.

He fought the impulse to come for as long as he could until the urge couldn’t be quelled any longer. Then his balls emptied, and his brain blanked. Francis’ mind went floaty, his body clenched, then a piercing pain hit as Jimmy’s teeth seized him by the neck. For a second he thought Jimmy had given him the bonding bite, but Jimmy pulled back at the last moment, not completing the process.

Francis opened his eyes and stared up at Jimmy, his thoughts jumbled. Jimmy smoothed his hand over Francis’ cheek and delivered gentle kisses that left him wanting more. He wanted it all with this man, but so much stood in the way.

“Tell me why you didn’t stick around,” Jimmy whispered.

The question hit at the core of everything wrong with their relationship. There was no escape since Jimmy's knot hadn’t deflated. They hadn't bonded yet, but Francis knew it would happen soon if they kept going at it. If he lied now, he would ruin all hope for any real reconciliation.

He let the pain bubble up and spoke the only truth he knew.

“No one sticks with a Zeta. No one wants to mate us. My parents were ashamed of me when I presented. They wanted an Alpha. I thought I was an Alpha until that day. I’m damaged, not fully human, not completely an Alpha, nor an Omega, but something in between.” He sighed as Jimmy nuzzled his neck, giving support without words. “I left before you could toss me out.”

Jimmy let loose a low growl, and Francis flinched.

“Why did you think I would kick you out?”

Pain slid through Francis sharper than any knife he’d ever held. He sucked in a breath, forcing himself to calm. “I’ve just had it happen too often. I’m not worth fighting for. I’ve been told that too many times.”

“Not by me,” Jimmy protested. “I’ve never cared that you’re a Zeta.”

Pain twisted tighter. He wanted to be free, but he feared everything. “Can I really trust you?”

“I swear, by all that I am, to my Alpha core and then some, you can trust me,” Jimmy said softly.

His lover’s knot deflated, and Jimmy pulled free, and then gathered Francis into his arms, spooning behind him, his touch gentle and comforting.

He closed his eyes, thinking about the pain he’d caused Jimmy by leaving. Jimmy was right. He’d never said anything about his Zeta status; it had all been in Francis’ own mind. He opened his eyes and turned his head to meet Jimmy’s gaze, trying to find the words that would make everything all right again.

"I'm stupid. Seriously, I've been dumb about relationships since I was a kid. I say mean things and act tough instead of saying what I'm actually feeling. Fuck, Jimmy, I want it all. I want the house, the yard, the kids, but I'm infertile. I won't have kids, ever. So your domineering Alpha will never breed. I know what that means. Eventually, you'll have a need to have your own pups, and then you'll be gone." Francis stopped and drew a breath.

“But—”

He cut Jimmy off. "No, let me finish before I lose my nerve. Everyone will tell you I'm not worth it because I'm not. I can't have babies. Hell, I don't even know the first thing about babies, but my body just won't do it. You can knot me from here until the end of time, and nothing will ever come from your efforts."

Jimmy shook his head and moved, pushing Francis to the floor so he was lying on his back before he lowered for a sweet kiss that left Francis shaking.

“My love, I won’t walk out on you. I won’t ever leave you because you can’t have kids. Besides, there are babies who need parents if we decide we even want kids.”

A sob escaped Francis’ lips. He wrapped his fingers tighter around Jimmy’s arms, holding him still. “I can’t fall in love, then be dumped again.”

Jimmy shook his head. “I won’t do that.”

“What about your family? What if they demand you leave? What if they threaten to cut you off?”

“I don’t care what they say. I’m not going to walk away from you because you can’t give birth to a baby. I’m not going to walk away because you’re Zeta. If I cared about all that stuff, I could have married any number of Omegas my parents have thrown at me over the years. I’m not interested in that.”

Francis reached up and rubbed over his gland on his neck. “What do we do now?”

“Well, I didn’t bite your gland.”

“No, but you were close.”

Jimmy lowered and ran his nose over the spot, then licked the sensitive skin. “When I do, you’ll know it.”

Francis sucked in a breath and let it go slowly. “Are we really doing this? Are you really going to stand up to the pressure of being with a Zeta?”

Jimmy sat up, then pulled him up, holding Francis in the tight circle of his arms. “Babe, I don’t give a damn what other people say. I’ll love who the hell I want to love.”

“Not that long ago Zetas weren’t even allowed to bond. They would have killed me.”

“Those laws were barbaric. We’ll be fine. Our friends are supportive. No one else matters.”

He held onto Jimmy, wondering if he was right. Would their friends support them? People were weird. In general, they supported minorities, but have one move in next door or date their daughter, then they blew a gasket and went wild with anger and hate. As an FBI agent, he'd seen people claim they weren't racist right after they killed someone for being black, or swore they had gay friends just after bashing a gay man. The evil he'd seen in the human and shifter world had made him cynical. Especially when so many denied its existence, even after being presented with the facts.

“So what are we going to do?” Francis asked.

“For starters, we’re going to take a shower.”

Francis rolled his eyes. “No, about us.”

Jimmy shrugged. “We’ll date.”

“Date?”

“Yes, date. You know, what people do when they want to spend time together because they like one another. We’ll go to Denver for dinner and a movie. We’ll head over to Boulder for a concert. Maybe go hiking and take in a few hunts together. We’ll date and spend time together.”

“Hunting with a Zeta can be dangerous,” Francis pointed out.

“You won’t hurt me.”

“No, but other wolves might if they scent me wrong.”

“What do you mean?” Jimmy said and pulled away from Francis. Sitting up before he stood and began picking up their clothes.

“I went on a hunt in Virginia with a friend once. We were in the mountains, running free when a pack came out of nowhere. They realized I was Zeta and lashed out. I was injured, and my friend, who isn’t a friend anymore because of that day, almost lost his leg. They were vicious in their attack. If we hunt together, we do it somewhere far from here, in an area we know other packs aren’t. Maybe up by that ranger station where we met when I was undercover.”

"I'm telling you right now, Francis, the entire pack in Lyons would never hurt you. They accepted Jamie after he'd been experimented on and turned from Alpha to Omega."

Francis snorted. “Yeah, they supported him so much they gave away his location on patrol, and the Brethren kidnapped him and Brook.”

Jimmy protested, “No, that was one guy. One bigoted old man. When the townspeople found out what he did, they shunned him. I’m telling you the town of Lyons will support you. And once everyone knows you're mine, they won't dream of touching you. Otherwise, I'll rip their heads off."

“While I appreciate the sentiment, Officer, I can take on a few bigots. Trained ex-FBI man here, remember?” Francis joked.

"I know you can, babe, but Max wouldn't let people talk shit about his mate, and I'm not about to let them gossip about mine—" Jimmy stopped, surprise evident on his face.

Francis smiled. “I know what you meant. I don’t expect a proposal, Laughton. We need time to date first.”

Jimmy glanced away hastily, awkwardness swirling around them. He handed Francis his shirt but dropped his pants.

“Sorry, I didn’t mean—.”

“It’s okay, really.”

They dressed in silence, then met each other’s gaze after they pulled on their shirts.

“Plus, you going around ripping people’s heads off every time they say something mean about me might land you in jail. I hear cops do real well in lockup,” Francis deadpanned.

Jimmy pulled Francis in by his hips and kissed him briefly. “You know what I meant.”

"Yes, I do, and it's very sweet."

“What do I care what other people think? My family hates my life choices, so I don’t think a bunch of strangers disliking my boyfriend is going to cause me to bolt.”

They headed upstairs from the basement and outside to the shower Jamie had put in, not wanting to mess up their hosts' guest bathroom. Francis figured it would be a few hours until the smell of their lovemaking went away with shifter's noses being what they were. They didn't want to pollute any more of Max and Jamie's house than they already had.

Jimmy flipped on the water, and the cold hit Francis' ass. He yipped and then laughed as he wiggled closer to Jimmy trying to avoid the freezing spray.

“Jesus, warn a guy, will ya?”

“It got you in my arms again.” Jimmy grinned.

“So that’s your plan, to keep me in your arms,” Francis said as he moved closer and rubbed up against Jimmy.

“Sure is, sweetheart. And don’t forget it. I plan on keeping you close and making sure you know how I feel about you.”

Francis hated asking the question, feeling so needy, but he had to know. “How do you feel?”

“Like you’re going to be an awesome partner. Like we fit. I don’t want to scare you away, and I’m not ready to bond, but Francis, I know this relationship is special. You can’t cut me out like before. You walked away like I didn’t matter.”

Francis cupped Jimmy’s cheeks and stared straight into his brown eyes. His heart swelled, and he hoped Jimmy understood his heart.

"You do matter, Jimmy. You matter so much, and that's why I walked away. I know that may not make sense, but I care so much, and I don't want you getting hurt. I'm sorry I ever made you think I didn’t care.”

Jimmy brushed his lips over Francis’ forehead. "We've got a lot of trust issues to get over, but I'm willing to work at it." Jimmy's expression was full of strength, shining steadfastly with certainty and peace. Francis felt hopeful as he watched love grow in Jimmy's eyes. What they had was special, and he just hoped they could hold onto it as they moved from fucking to dating and then to mating.

"So am I." His heart swelled as pride for his man grew. They'd passed the first hurdle, and now they were ready for the next.

Suddenly, Jimmy pulled him into a sweet kiss that stretched on. The sound of Jamie's truck drew him out of his lustful daydreams, and the kiss ended. Jimmy looked between them, seeing their half-mast cocks.

“Jesus, we just had sex. Now look at us,” Jimmy said.

Francis moaned. “You are a sight to behold.”

Jimmy chuckled. “Nah, you’re the sight to behold. I guess it’s time to get out.”

Francis shook his head. “Let’s actually get clean first. I doubt Max or Jamie want to smell us now.”

“Okay, but we better hurry. I don’t want them to catch us out here.”

“Just remember, I’m not the one who wanted to have a heart-to-heart outside in a shower, James.”

“Oh God, do not call me James. Now I’m envisioning my grandmother Laughton.”

Francis laughed as he soaped up. “Good, you can’t be having sexy thoughts if Grandma is in your head.”

“True. How about after we leave we take this to your home so we can spend some time together and get to know each other better?”

“Sounds like a plan. You know we’re never going to hear the end of this. Jamie’s going to razz us forever.” Francis rinsed his body and Jimmy took his place, getting clean.

Jimmy met his gaze after he rinsed his hair. “I expect nothing less from Jamie.” Jimmy brushed his lips over Francis’ cheek before turning off the water.

They both turned when the back door opened and Jamie yelled out, laughter tinging his voice, “Put some clothes on, you nudists! There is an impressionable baby whose daddy doesn’t want her to see your man bits.”

Jimmy grabbed a towel, and they dried off before dressing and going inside. Worry still rode high, but neither Jamie nor Max said anything negative. They just poked fun at them for sexing up their basement.

It was odd having other shifters support him being with an Alpha. So many times he’d heard the negative quips, the harsh accusations, the hate, but Jamie and Max weren’t that way.

All throughout the conversation, Jimmy held Francis’ hand or kept one hand on his shoulder or arm. It was sweet, making him feel wanted. Francis knew he could easily get used to this. Jimmy was the type of Alpha he’d always wanted. Now, they’d just had to endure the taunts from strangers, the hate from family members who didn’t understand, and the random people who didn’t like Zetas. The list was mind-numbing.

Francis sighed, and Jimmy cocked an eyebrow in response. Francis mouthed, “Later,” and Jimmy smiled and nodded.

Right now he just wanted to sit in Max and Jamie’s kitchen, play with the baby, and enjoy his newfound bliss. He just prayed Jimmy really was ready to stand beside him no matter what went down. His last boyfriend had claimed to love him, but when times got tough, he’d bailed and married the first Omega he’d found.

Francis pushed that thought out of his head. Jimmy Laughton was made of sterner stuff. Francis knew deep down, they were ready to start anew. He’d had his hopes dashed before, but Jimmy was different. This time was different.