Winter's End

by Rebecca James

  “Is this…a bad time?” he asked gruffly. Two weeks ago, he wouldn’t have asked, but somehow something had shifted in their relationship. He was now very aware that Canaan might step away from what they were doing if circumstances weren’t to the beta’s liking.

  Canaan wiped his face. “No. You may be just what I need.” He turned away from the door and Duncan, leaving the alpha to close the door.

  The living room floor was covered with papers and boxes.

  “Are you cleaning?” Duncan asked.

  “Sort of.” Canaan started stacking things and placing them back in boxes. “Just dealing with some memories.” When he’d finished, he turned back to Duncan and began to take off his clothes.

  Although this was what Duncan always ordered the beta to do, something felt off about it then. Canaan had been crying, and seeing him removing his clothes like that was all Duncan cared about…

  Well, wasn’t it?

  Canaan tossed his shirt onto the couch. When he started taking off his pants, Duncan held up his hand.

  “Could I, uh, have some water?”

  Looking puzzled, Canaan walked into the tiny kitchen. Duncan took the opportunity to peer into the box. On the top was a crude drawing of a sun and two wolves with Teddy and Daddy written across the bottom. Teddy. Had that been Canaan’s son’s name? Why didn’t Duncan know this information?

  Because all you do with Canaan is have sex. You’ve never bothered to get to know him.

  He stepped away from the box before Canaan returned with the cup of water. Duncan drank it, thinking.

  “Bedroom,” he said after he’d put the cup down. The uncertain look on Canaan’s face disappeared, and he calmly walked down the hall. The bed, which was just large enough for two, was covered in a red and navy quilt that looked handmade rather than bought in the city.

  “Did you make this quilt?” he asked.

  Canaan frowned. “What?”

  “Did you make the quilt on the bed?”

  “Yes, why?”

  “Can’t I ask you a question?”

  “You’ve never asked me before, but okay. Yes, I know how to quilt. It’s something I like to do on quiet nights. I also knit.”

  Duncan nodded. He couldn’t explain his feelings. He only knew he wanted to lie down in this bed with Canaan. Possibly sleep the entire night there. What did that mean? He didn’t know. But Canaan looked uncomfortable. He expected certain things from Duncan.

  “Lie down,” he ordered, and Canaan’s shoulders relaxed as he obeyed. Duncan took off his belt and proceeded to tie the beta’s hands to the railing at the head of the bed. Canaan’s breathing sped up. Face flushed, he watched Duncan’s every move with those compelling, cat-like eyes.

  When Duncan finished securing Canaan’s hands, Duncan gaze ran over the beta’s lean form, lingering where his flat belly curved inward and tawny hair trickled from his navel to disappear below the waist of his jeans.

  Sitting on the bed, Duncan plucked open the button and slowly slid down the zipper. Canaan didn’t have on underwear, and his cock rose from its confines. Duncan touched the tip, and Canaan moaned.

  “You’re hard,” Duncan said, voice low.

  “I’m hard every time you walk into the room,” Canaan said.

  Surprised, Duncan flicked his gaze upward. Canaan lay panting, nipples erect and goosebumps covering his chest. Duncan loved that he had that effect on the beta. He turned on the bed so he could watch Canaan’s face as he stroked his index finger up and down the beta’s leaking shaft. He could see how much Canaan enjoyed being at the alpha’s mercy.

  On impulse, Duncan leaned forward and kissed Canaan on the lips. Softly. Gently. Again. And a third time.

  When he moved back, Canaan was staring at him with confusion and something else Duncan couldn’t name.

  He cleared his throat and stood. In two quick jerks, Duncan removed Canaan’s pants. Tossing them in the corner, the alpha looked around for something to use on the beta’s feet. He walked into the open closet and looked around, feeling Canaan’s eyes on him. Spotting a bathrobe hanging in the back, Duncan pulled the tie free. Then he spotted a silk tie hanging with a suit and took that, too.

  Returning to the bed, Duncan made short work of bending Canaan so his back curled and tying each foot to the top corner of the spindled headboard so that the beta’s ass was high in the air and Canaan’s weight rested on his shoulders and upper back. It was a very vulnerable position to be in, and Canaan’s leaking cock told the alpha how much he liked it.

  “Lube?” Duncan asked.

  “Dresser drawer,” Canaan said, sounding choked.

  Knowing how much his lover enjoyed hearing what Duncan had planned, he began to talk while he fetched the tube from the drawer.

  “I’m going to slide a wet finger inside you. Then two. Then three. Maybe even four. Then, when you’re nice and loose for me, I’m going to drill my dick into you until you’ve screamed yourself hoarse.”

  Canaan’s pink hole twitched in anticipation when the alpha approached, fingers coated in lube. He excreted natural lubrication, but that wouldn’t be enough for what Duncan had planned.

  Slowly, he circled the wrinkled pucker with the wet tip of his finger, watching Canaan’s pleasure transform his face. Sharp features went lax, and a soft flush tinted the high cheekbones. Duncan slid his finer inside to the last knuckle, and Canaan moaned. Duncan’s cock pulsed with need as he withdrew and inserted two fingers. Canaan was so tight and warm. He brushed the beta’s prostate on the way out, smiling at Canaan’s strangled cry.

  Three fingers and then four. Canaan’s legs shook. As Duncan fucked him with four fingers, the alpha licked at Canaan’s tight ball sac, bringing forth cries of pleasure that had Duncan leaking onto the bed.

  When the alpha couldn’t stand it any longer, he rose to his feet on the mattress and crouched over the tied beta. Aiming his erect cock, he drove it downward into the lubed entrance, balls clenching at the sound of Canaan’s scream and the way he pulled futilely at his restraints. Grabbing hold of the top of the headboard, Duncan began to thrust, thigh muscles working and glutes clenching as he hammered into Canaan. The bed knocked against the wall.

  When Duncan saw Canaan’s orgasm building, he growled.

  “Ask me if you can come,” he ordered between clenched teeth.

  Canaan sucked in a breath. Duncan could see the beta warring with his pride.

  “Ask me, beta. Don’t you dare come without my permission.”

  A cry wrenched out of Canaan’s mouth before he began begging. “Please let me come, please please please.”

  “I said to ask me!” Duncan shouted, pounding that round ass harder, his own orgasm storming to the surface.

  “May I come, Alpha?” Canaan choked out. “Please, may I come on your cock?”

  Duncan groaned and exploded inside Canaan. He was pretty sure he uttered a “Yes” somewhere in the middle of his climax just before feeling Canaan’s body clamp down on him. He didn’t mean to, but his knot slipped inside, snug and tight, pressing against Canaan’s prostate so that the beta wolf jerked beneath him like a marionette, appendages tied to the bed and cock spurting between them.

  Canaan let out a sob, and Duncan had an overwhelming urge to bite him. If the beta hadn’t been tied in such an awkward position, the alpha didn’t think he would have been able to resist.

  When he’d caught his breath, Duncan untied Canaan’s feet and helped him to lower his shaking limbs to the mattress. Duncan remained buried inside, balls smashed to Canaan’s ass, but now he could lower himself to his elbows on the mattress.

  The sharp smell of sweat and sex filled the room as minutes ticked away with the alpha and beta tied together. Duncan’s breathing gradually returned to normal. He pretended to ignore the way Canaan was crying while trying to hide it, but after a while he couldn’t stand it anymore and murmured, “Did I hurt you?”

  Canaan shook his head. “No,” he rasped. “It’s just been a tough
day.”

  Duncan thought of the box in the living room and the child’s drawing. Canaan had been thinking about his dead child when Duncan came over, and now he was releasing the pain.

  That was good, Duncan assumed, although he didn’t know much about emotions. He had been sorry when his mate had passed away long ago, but he’d also been relieved to be free, and he hadn’t had enough time to get used to the idea that Anders was carrying Duncan’s pup to be sad about losing it.

  Sometimes Duncan thought he wasn’t normal, never having had a strong emotional attachment to anyone. That didn’t mean he couldn’t sympathize, though.

  “Do you…want to talk about it?”

  The way Canaan’s mouth fell open and his eyes widened in surprise made Duncan feel like shit. He really hadn’t ever bothered to really talk to Canaan.

  “Um. No, I don’t think so.” Canaan looked away, a tear rolling down his cheek.

  Duncan supposed he deserved that. He hadn’t exactly fostered trust between them. Trust beyond the bedroom, that was.

  He untied Canaan’s wrists and slipped his arms underneath Canaan’s back before rolling so Canaan lay on top of the alpha. Closing his eyes, Duncan let sleep wash over him, feeling when Canaan slowly relaxed against him.

  Sometime later, the knot broke, waking Duncan as it doused him in pleasure and causing Canaan to squirm and cry out in his sleep. But Duncan didn’t make a move to leave the bed, only pulled Canaan closer and covered them with the sheet.

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  Roanan

  Josh let out a heavy sigh as he walked beside Roanan.

  The alpha was proud of his son for coming along to take the basket of vegetables and the pie Emory had made for the newly mated couple. Grant had been shirtless and had looked fucked out when he’d answered the door, and Roanan had felt his son’s flinch behind him. On top of that Grant had barely nodded at Josh, making it evident he was already bonding with his new mate. But in the end, the experience had probably helped Josh begin the process of realizing Grant was a full-grown alpha now and their friendship would never be what it once was.

  “I know it wasn’t easy,” Roanan said, and Emory nodded his agreement.

  When Josh didn’t say anything, Roanan asked, “What are you thinking about so hard?”

  Josh blinked, like he was coming out of a fog. “What?”

  “Emory and I were saying that was brave of you to come with us. We know it had to have been a difficult thing to do.” Roanan held Emory’s hand as they walked. Emory’s face had lost the remainder of the hollows from his time fending for himself in the forest. Pregnancy suited him.

  “Oh. Thanks. I-well, I think things will be a little easier now I’ve seen them together. Kind of brought home he fact Grant is in a relationship now.”

  Since the day Roanan had found Josh crying in his room, the alpha had tried to make more time for his sons, particularly the eldest. He hadn’t meant to neglect the kids—he’d just been wrapped up in his new mate.

  As they passed Ace’s house, Josh slowed down. Roanan would have asked him what was going on, but Emory squeezed his hand and tugged him along.

  “What?” Roanan frowned at Emory. Emory swallowed and mouthed the word “crush.” Roanan glanced behind him and realized Ace had come out in his yard and he and Josh were chatting.

  “You’re kidding.”

  Emory shrugged. They sat down on a nearby bench to wait, Roanan’s arm wrapped around Emory’s shoulders. The day was cold and held a scent in the air that promised snow. Roanan kissed Emory’s head and tried not to look over to where his son spoke with Ace.

  “He’s too old for Josh,” Roanan said, and Emory pulled back and made a face. “We’re different,” Roanan said when he realized there was at least as much age difference between himself and Emory.

  “How?” Emory mouthed.

  Roanan pulled him closer. “I don’t know. We just are.” He felt Emory laughing against him and smiled. “I still don’t want Josh hanging out with an alpha until he’s old enough, but I guess he can stand there and talk while we’re sitting here,” he said grudgingly.

  Josh rejoined them after a few minutes, and they walked the rest of the way home.

  “I’m going to go see Ian. He should be at the greenhouse,” he told his family. “I’ll be back shortly. Em, you should take a nap. You look tired.”

  Emory didn’t argue, just yawned and headed for the bedroom.

  “Boys, you be good.”

  The twins, who were listening to music, waved without looking, and Josh went to his room.

  Roanan headed across the compound for Darien’s greenhouse, where he found Ian standing outside the building, a potted plant in each hand. When he spotted Roanan walking his way, he smiled and lifted one of the plants in greeting.

  “Hey. What’s up?”

  “Can’t I visit my favorite brother?” Roanan asked, following Ian inside.

  Ian threw him a look over his shoulder. “Sure. You can help me repot these and then tell me what you really want.”

  Roanan chuckled as he sat on the bench and began filling a large pot with soil.

  “Is Josh taking Grant’s mating hard?”

  “He’s fine,” Roanan said. “Grey did the right thing mating Grant with Keith. I was wondering, though. Did you suggest it to him?”

  “No. Grey thought that up all by himself. When I gave it some thought, I could see the sense in it. I’m relieved you agree.”

  Roanan nodded. “Have you made any decisions about Gabriel? I know Em and Josh have been worried about him spending his heats without you.”

  Ian raised a brow as he settled the large-leafed plant into a new pot and piled dark, rich soil around it.

  “Every time I bring it up, Grey and I argue. And I can’t deny it’s better for us all to suffer during Gabe’s heats than to put his life at risk with a pregnancy, but something’s gotta give. The more I think about it, the more I want Gabriel to take the antidote as soon as they have one ready for him. I’m going to talk to Grey about it again.”

  They worked a while longer in silence, then Ian asked about Emory’s pregnancy.

  “He’s doing well. He just tires easily. He’s taking a nap now.”

  “How does if feel to be having a baby again?” Ian asked, smiling.

  “Really weird. But my boy can play with your little ones. That’ll be nice.”

  Ian agreed. After Roanan had watered the plant, he stood and brushed his hands off. “I’m going to go by the construction site and then head home. Tell everyone I said hello.”

  “I will,” Ian said. “Come by for dinner sometime with the family.”

  Roanan chuckled. “Okay, but you’d better run that by your mates. You know my kids eat a lot.”

  “So do you,” Ian teased.

  Roanan left the greenhouse whistling a tune.

  CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

  Gabriel

  Gabriel sat beside Ian on the mossy bank of the creek, head resting in the beta’s lap, the sounds of rumbling water and twittering birds overhead lulling the omega into a light doze. They’d had an odd warm spell, and the two mates were enjoying it in the sunshine. The warmth on Gabriel’s skin and the scent of his mate in his nostrils made a heavenly combination. Gabriel was loathe to move, even though it had to be close to lunchtime.

  “We should go pick up the kids,” Ian said, playfully running his finger down Gabriel’s nose. Gabriel captured the digit in his mouth and sucked on it, watching Ian’s eyes turn dark with lust. “Don’t start something you can’t finish, baby,” he said.

  Gabriel sat up and straddled Ian’s lap. After a deep kiss he asked, “Why can’t we finish?”

  Ian chuckled. “I can hear your stomach rumbling.”

  “That’s the creek.”

  It was definitely Gabriel’s stomach, but his mate’s arousal was digging into his thigh, and Gabriel wanted more. He kissed along the beta’s jaw. “It won’t take long.” He looked meaningfully into
Ian’s eyes. “And I need you inside me.”

  Ian growled and took a nip at the mating bite he’d given the omega on the left side of Gabriel’s neck. On the right side, Grey’s bite tingled at the feel of Ian’s teeth, proof of their bond. Ian ran his hands down Gabriel’s back, and the omega gasped when Ian lifted his shirt and pulled it off.

  Gabriel’s mouth crashed into Ian’s and they kissed for long moments before Gabriel lost control and began to urgently hump against Ian’s erection.

  “Hold on, baby, I’ll give you what you want.” Ian unzipped his pants to pull out his long cock. Gabriel lifted himself long enough to get his own pants off and then settled onto the hard shaft, loving the feel of every inch that sank into his body.

  “Gods, yes,” Ian said into Gabriel’s neck. “Fuck yourself on me.”

  Gabriel gladly obeyed, lifting and dropping himself over and over again as their lovemaking took them higher and higher. Ian felt so good. So hard. Filling Gabriel up just the way he needed.

  Ian groaned. Wrapping his arms around Gabriel’s waist, he flipped them so Gabriel’s back was on the ground. Gabriel gasped when Ian began thrusting harder. Body alight with sensation, Gabriel was dimly aware of Ian’s knot slipping into him. He wrapped his long legs around the beta’s body and held on tight, the constant pressure on his prostate sending sparks of pleasure throughout his body.

  “Love having you knotted in me,” he whispered as they settled to wait for it to break. A cool breeze ran over them. Gabriel gazed above into the nearly bare trees where a few wayward leaves drifted downward to rest on Ian’s shoulders and back.

  “Me too.” Ian kissed Gabriel softly before looking into his eyes. “I have a secret to tell you.”

  “What is it?”

  Ian smiled warmly, hesitating, and Gabriel nudged the beta’s ass with his foot.

  “Tell me.”

  “Grey’s agreed to let you take the antidote.”

  Hope rose in Gabriel’ chest, but before he could say anything, Ian continued.