by Gale Stanley
“I love being inside you,” Sam said. “You feel so fucking good.” Sam pulled back and then pushed forward, until he built up a slow, steady rhythm.
“Fuck. That feels good.” Luke felt his body catch fire. He groaned and thrust his hips back against Sam.
“I’m just getting started,” Sam murmured against Luke’s back.
Sam stroked Luke’s cock as he pumped his ass. Soon his thrusts became more urgent. Almost desperate. The scent of their sex hung over the small room, and the sounds of flesh slapping against flesh echoed from the walls.
“I want you,” Sam gasped. He sucked on Luke’s neck as he rode him.
“I’m yours.” Luke’s emotions had never been stronger. He felt his connection with Sam in every touch. It was almost as if they were one person. He strained against Sam, wanting more, needing more. He felt Sam buried deeper inside him than ever before, but his muscles pulled at Sam’s cock trying to take him even deeper. The bear inside Luke reared up, needing to be claimed.
Sam’s growls got louder as his thrusts grew stronger. He called out Luke’s name over and over again. Suddenly, Sam’s teeth pierced the tender flesh of Luke’s neck, and they both erupted at the same time.
Luke allowed himself to enjoy their connection for a few minutes, then he rolled over to face his mate. He cupped Sam’s jaw and rubbed his thumb over Sam’s lips. “I know it’s late, Sam, but there’s something I need to do.”
Sam put his hand over Luke’s. “Whatever you want, babe.”
“I want to tell the family our news.”
* * * *
Luke had no idea how his parents would react, and he was beyond nervous when he and Sam walked into the Reed house. Becca was reading while their mother worked on her knitting. Luke’s father was getting ready to go upstairs to bed. Everyone looked up when he and Sam entered the house.
Lily put her knitting down. “Is everything okay, Luke?”
“Yes, Mom. Sam and I have something to tell you.” Luke clasped Sam’s hand. The silence was deafening. “Sam and I are together.”
Lucas Sr. frowned. “What does that mean—together?”
Sam squeezed Luke’s hand. “We’re mated, Mr. Reed.”
“You can’t be serious.”
“We’re very serious.”
“But you hardly know each other,” Lily blurted out.
Becca jumped up from her chair and threw herself at Luke and Sam. “I’m so happy for you.”
The three-way hug was comforting after the chilly reception from Luke’s parents. They didn’t say anything outright disapproving, but Luke could tell that they were very uncomfortable. He’d never talked to them about his sexuality and this had to come as a shock. He tried to smooth things over.
“I know this is new for you, but Sam is going to be in my life now, and I hope you can accept us as a couple.”
Lucas Sr. shook his head, but he walked over to shake Luke’s hand, then Sam’s. “I don’t get it, but I want to. You’ll just have to give me some time.”
Lily finally approached them and gave each man a hug. She had tears in her eyes. “I want you to know that I love you and I want you to be happy.”
Luke breathed a sigh of relief. His parents weren’t enthusiastic by any stretch, but they were honest and willing to open their minds, and their hearts. It was more than Luke could have hoped for.
Chapter Eleven
Four Weeks Later
True to his word, Sam planned to move to Sanctuary. He’d gone back to Idaho to settle his affairs and pack his belongings. “I’ll only be gone a few days,” he’d told Luke, but a month had passed and Sam hadn’t come back yet. Luke was thinking the worst and going crazy.
To make the time go faster, Luke had started renovating a small two-bedroom house. He and Sam were a couple now, and they needed their own space. The house needed a lot of work, but Luke didn’t have a lot of time. Quinn and Noah helped whenever they could.
Even Luke’s family pitched in. His parents put up a good front, but Luke suspected they were secretly relieved that Sam hadn’t returned. Becca let it slip that Lucas Sr. thought the boys were going through a phase, and perhaps Sam had decided he’d made a mistake. Clearly his father’s mind needed to be opened some more. This was no phase. Luke’s relationship was real and deserved respect. He made it a point to talk about Sam, his caring nature, his work ethic, his loyalty…
But inside he felt rejected and lonely. Luke had fallen hard, and the separation was killing him. Every night he waited for Sam’s call. He’d keep looking at the clock, thinking, If Sam doesn't call me, I’ll be sick. But Sam called every night. He always asked Luke about the house and got excited about the progress, and he ended each conversation with, “I love you.” But Luke still felt abandoned. Sam claimed his business was taking longer than expected, but he never gave any details. What the fuck could be taking so long?
The phone calls weren’t enough anymore. Luke missed Sam’s muscular arms around him. His bed was cold and empty, and he missed Sam’s scent. Luke had even slept in the back room of the club a few times, where Sam’s smell still lingered. Luke dreamed about Sam and thought about him while he jacked off. He’d never felt so lost.
Then four weeks to the day he left, Sam called and told Luke what he’d been dying to hear. “I’m coming home, baby.”
“Well, it’s about damn time.”
Sam laughed. “Sounds like you missed me.”
“Four fucking weeks. I should send your ass packing.”
“Now you know you don’t mean that.”
“Of course, I don’t. What’s the soonest flight you can get?”
“I can be back tomorrow. Is the house ready?”
“Are you fucking kidding me? I still have to work.”
“Shit. Can we sleep there? Maybe eat at your mom’s place?”
Luke hesitated. His mother might not be over the moon about their relationship, but she would never turn Sam away. “Sure. The bedroom is done. And there’s always room at the table.”
“Room for two more?”
Huh? “What aren’t you telling me, Sam?”
“I’m bringing someone with me. He’s gotten attached, and he won’t stay here if I leave.”
Luke didn’t like the sound of it. The someone was a he, and he was attached to Sam. Just how attached was he? Luke had more than a few questions for his mate. Sam’s voice sounded in his ear.
“You there, babe? Can you pick us up at the airport tomorrow at three?”
“I’ll be there, but—”
“You’re the best. Love you. Bye.”
Shit! Luke retrieved an old sleeping bag and some extra linens and headed for the house. He’d be damned before he let some attached stranger sleep in the same room with him and Sam.
* * * *
Luke paced the waiting area at the airport. He was beyond anxious to see Sam. And he wanted to see what this newcomer looked like, the attachment, as Luke had started to think of him. He better not be too good-looking. Luke’s eyes started to water. He was already angry with the attachment who wanted to take his mate from him.
Finally, Sam’s plane landed, and Luke bounced on his heels as he checked the arriving passengers. Suddenly he spotted Sam in a sea of faces moving toward him. Luke scanned the people around Sam, but he didn’t see anyone who might be his competition. Jumping up and down, Luke waved furiously.
Before he knew it, Sam was in his arms, and Luke was hugging him tightly. Sam kissed him, making Luke forget everything except how happy he was to have him back.
They broke apart, and Luke suddenly remembered that Sam had come home with an attachment. “Where’s your um…friend? In the men’s room?”
Sam offered a half-embarrassed smile and pointed down.
Confused, Luke’s gaze followed Sam’s finger. A small boy, somewhere between three and four feet tall, was hanging onto Sam’s jeans. He had black hair like Sam’s, and blue eyes like Luke’s.
“This is Theodore. Te
ddy, this is Luke.”
Luke bent down and put out his hand. “I’m very glad to meet you, Teddy.”
The boy turned away and hid his face against Sam’s leg.
Luke straightened up and spoke in a soft voice. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
“I wasn’t sure,” Sam said. “The day before I planned on coming home, two of our men found him in the woods. They witnessed him shifting to hide from human hunters and brought him back. He just gravitated to me, and we hit it off, even bunked together. I stuck around for him, and I knew I couldn’t leave him. Some folks weren’t too keen on letting me take him. They thought they could make me stay in Idaho, but I told them I had to be with my mate. And Teddy told them he had to be with me. So here we are.”
“Well, let’s get him home. He’s probably tired and hungry.”
“Home,” Sam murmured. “That sounds real good.”
Sam settled Teddy in the back seat, and he fell asleep as soon as the wheels started moving. Sam kept turning round to check on him.
“He’s fine back there,” Luke said. “You already look like a worried father.”
Sam let out a nervous laugh. “God, I missed you, Luke. I wish you’d gone to Idaho with me. I don’t know much about cubs. I could have used your help.”
“What makes you think I know anything about them?”
“At least we could have figured it out together.” He paused. “Are you mad at me?”
“I’m pissed that you didn’t tell me sooner. I thought communication was one of our vows.”
“I’m sorry, babe.”
“You should be. I was miserable. I thought you found someone else.”
“You’re joking, right? There’ll never be anyone else.”
“Maybe it was dumb, but I didn’t know what to think. We were only together a short time, then you went running off and you didn’t come home when you said you would.”
“I should have told you, but I was scared. I wasn’t sure how you’d react.”
“You knew I wanted a family.”
“Yeah, but we’re a new couple just starting out and here I am springing a kid on you. This is early days for us. We need to spend time together, and now we have a child who needs our time.”
“We’ll make time for Teddy, and for ourselves. My mother and Becca will be fighting each other to babysit him.”
“It won’t be easy, Luke. I know from experience that there’s no worse fate for a shifter cub than to lose its parents. Most of our orphans probably get hunted down before they’re rescued. I don’t know how long Teddy was living alone in the woods. I’m not even sure how old he is. He can be difficult. He’s shy, and he can throw a damn good tantrum.”
Luke reached over and took Sam’s hand. “He needs us. That’s all I have to know. He’s ours, and we’ll love him.”
“I love you, Luke.”
“Love you, too.”
* * * *
When Luke pulled up to his parents’ house, everyone was sitting on the porch waiting to greet them. Sam felt nervous, but he shook Mr. Reed’s hand and hugged the ladies. “I know Luke and I ambushed you, but I hope you’ll accept that we really love each other.”
Lucas Sr. winced, but hid it quickly. “We just want Luke to be happy.”
“That’s right,” Lily said. “He was miserable while you were gone.”
Sam squeezed Luke’s hand. “I’ll never go away again.”
“So. Where’s the attachment?” Becca asked.
Sam frowned in confusion and looked at Luke.
Luke averted his eyes. “You said he was attached to you. I thought he was my competition.”
Sam shook his head. “He’s in the car. I’ll get him.”
Sam walked over to the truck and picked up the still sleeping boy. He carried Teddy back so Luke’s family could see him. “This is Theodore. We call him Teddy.
“Oh my, a cub! Let me take him, Sam,” Lily said. “I’ll put him to bed upstairs and keep some dinner warm for him.”
“I’ll carry him, Lily.” Luke’s father reached for the boy.
“What did I tell you, Sam? They can’t wait to get their hands on him.” Luke grinned at his mother. “Now that you have someone you can really baby maybe you’ll give me a break.”
“Shush, Luke. Don’t be rude. I’m thrilled to have a grandcub, and I’ll help out any way I can.”
“I appreciate it, Lily,” Sam said. “But, the boy’s grieving and not too good with strangers. I think for tonight he’s better off in our place.”
Lily looked disappointed, but she didn’t protest. “You know best, Sam. Take the truck and drive him home. We’ll bring dinner over to your place and leave it in the kitchen.”
That’s when Sam knew everything would be okay. “Thank you. For everything.”
Ten minutes later, they were home, and Sam carried Teddy inside. “The house looks great, Luke. You got a lot done in a month.”
“You were my incentive. I wish I could have done more.”
“I’m home now, baby. We’ll do it together. Where’s Teddy’s room? I’ll settle him in.”
Luke led Sam to the bigger bedroom.
Sam raised a brow. “Isn’t this our room?”
“It is, but maybe we shouldn’t leave Teddy alone, at least for the first night. He’s been sleeping with you, and I don’t want him to wake up and feel abandoned and jealous.”
Sam leaned over for a kiss. “You’re gonna make a great dad.”
Luke had never felt more in love with Sam than he did at that moment. “We’re gonna make great dads.”
Together they tucked Teddy in and sat on either side of him, talking softly. “I think your parents are coming around.”
Luke nodded. “I think they’re finally seeing me as a man, and us as a genuine couple with a child of our own.”
“Are you really okay with this,” Sam asked.
“Yes. I’m in love, and totally happy with my life. You?”
“You are my life. You and Teddy. Home is wherever we’re together.”
THE END
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