“Of course,” Jaxon said, and the rest of the pack started another round of howls.
“Greer, you don’t have to,” I whispered.
“I want to. I’m anxious to claim my mate. My love.”
A surge of affection moved through me, and I just about melted. I held tightly to his arm and let out a long sigh of relief. My heart ached pleasantly from the physical contact. I suddenly wanted nothing more than to be with him. Close to him. Alone.
As though reading my mind, Jaxon whistled for the pack’s attention again, and subtly nodded to the door. They dutifully scurried out, giving us pats on the back as they left. Jason took Stacia’s hand and knelt in front of her.
“Hey, sweetheart, want to come shopping for some more holiday decorations for your new house?” he asked. Stacia gasped and immediately turned to me to ask for permission. I gave her a nod and a big smile, and then mouthed “thank you” to Jason as he hurried out with her.
Finally, we were alone.
Greer turned to me and wet his lips. I loved the hunger in his eyes as he searched my face. I felt it too—a tug in my chest that wanted me to reach out and touch him. I wanted to press my face against his neck, I wanted to kiss him, I wanted to be held by him. But most of all, I wanted to see more of that hunger.
I drew my bottom lip between my teeth, and then shook off my jacket. I let it fall on the floor of our new home, watching as Greer followed my movements as I unbuttoned my shirt. The whole house was snug, warmed by a full fire in the living room, and I didn’t even shiver when I exposed my bare chest and belly to the air.
Greer inhaled sharply and let out a moan. He curled his hands into fists as if trying to stop from reaching out to touch me. Then he relaxed, his eyes fixed firmly on my big belly. I peeled my shirt off my arms and let that drop to the floor, and then I ran my hands over my baby bump. A thrill ran through me when he took a step forward and put his hands on top of mine. Teasing him like this had been fun, but it was time for him to get back into full alpha mode.
I let out a soft whimper. That was all it took to spark him off. He grabbed my wrists and pulled them to my sides, and then he kissed me. I moaned happily into the pressure of his lips as my cock starting to grow hard. My heart pounded, and the pain of the last eleven weeks melted away. I felt so complete with my lips against his, so satisfied. Almost…
Greer held my wrists firmly as he dropped to his knees and rubbed his face on my belly. He kissed it, licked it, nuzzled it and nipped at it, sending sparks of desire through my whole body, until I couldn’t take it anymore. My dick was rock hard, and I needed him so badly it hurt.
His alpha intuition was on point. His kisses and nuzzles moved lower and lower, until he pressed his face against my groin and breathed in my scent.
“Oh, I missed this,” he groaned, letting go of my wrists so he could touch me through my pants. I ran my fingers through his hair and moaned as he squeezed my cock firmly. A shock of arousal burst through me, firing up an ache deep inside that hadn’t been touched for way too long.
I spun around and braced against the wall with my hands, and then I arched my back and moved my ass back and forth. Greer let out an animalistic growl and I felt my balls tighten in excitement. My hole twitched, and I whimpered again, hoping he’d take the hint.
He did. He yanked my pants down and immediately buried his face between my ass cheeks. He lapped greedily at my hole, and I gasped as he slipped the tip of his tongue inside, exploring me.
“Oh god!” I pushed back to beg for more. He began stroking my cock and grabbing at my balls while he worked my ass with his tongue and lips, creating a cycle of pleasure that ran from head to toe. I spread my legs wider, feeling the mixture of slick and spit trickle down the inside of my thighs. I wanted more. I needed more.
“You’re incredible,” Greer said in praise. He let go of my balls to run two fingers over my hole. I shuddered and pushed back against them with urgency. He chuckled and pulled back, determined to tease me.
“Please,” I begged.
“Is this what you want?” He tickled my entrance with his fingertips and I sobbed, dragging my forehead against the wall as I nodded desperately.
“Just this?” He slipped two fingers inside me. My ass throbbed around his digits as he began moving them back and forth. I groaned and arched my back more, feeling pathetically empty even with the way he was already filling me.
“More.”
Greer stood and growled into my ear. “Got something in mind?”
I huffed and craned my neck, desperately searching for his kiss. He gave it to me while he undid his jeans. I moaned and steadied myself, glad I did because, in the next moment, Greer slid half of his hard, thick cock into me.
“Oh fuck! Greer!”
“Fuck you feel so good. I missed this so, so much.” He thrust upward with each word, sending me into a fit of mindless moans as pleasure rocketed through me. Then I gasped when he began fucking me hard and fast from the start.
He held my hips in place, never pushing me and my baby belly hard against the wall, but rutting into me with determined strokes like he was making up for lost time. I was completely on board, begging him to give it to me harder.
I slapped the wall with my hands as my orgasm grew, groaning and trying to hold off, but it became impossible when I felt his knot expanding. I gasped and rocked on the thickening flesh as much as I could until I could no longer move.
“Fuck, fuck, Keifer, I’m coming.”
His cry pushed me over the edge, and I groaned as my orgasm spiked. He tightened his grip on my hips, keeping me locked on his dick as my knees gave way. In that brief, blissful moment, I knew what satisfaction was.
Greer lay gently against my back, resting his head on my shoulder as we shuddered through the aftershocks, but as soon as the knot started to go down, I glanced back to look at him.
“That couch looks very comfortable,” I suggested. He instantly picked me up and began carrying me over to it while I laughed and threw my arms around his neck.
We spent the night making love, and by the time we were done, it was like we’d never been apart at all.
19
Greer
We settled in the new place so quickly, it was like we were all born there and had never known another home. It felt like it had truly been designed for us. Stacia spent most of her time in her big pink bedroom and adjoining study, while Keifer and I enjoyed our time together in the cozy den and its open fireplace.
The only room that hadn’t been completely decorated was the nursery. I’d had the pack leave that for Keifer. I’d assumed he’d get a kick out of picking out the bits and pieces that our new little girl would need. But with his final deadline looming soon after we moved in, he was pretty occupied. A small detached building in the garden served as his writing studio, and he kept standard work hours while I tended to the running of the household. He worked hard, and made huge headway on it, seeming more and more elated when he finished work each day. He met his deadline and immediately started working on his sequel.
At Stacia’s insistence, we had a big family Christmas at our house, with Jaxon and Bryce coming over with Liam and Lori, as well as Jason, Trevor, and Silas. After the holidays, we invited Linc over for dinner to thank him for building the house, as well as Shawn and their adorable two-year-old, Samuel. We were entertaining someone at our house every week, and we were out of steam by the time the baby shower rolled around. If it hadn’t been for the claiming ceremony attached to it, we would have postponed the event. Or canceled it completely.
Luckily, Jaxon stepped up as pack alpha, and as my supportive son, and took care of everything. On the morning of the shower, we were woken up by a knock at the door. I hurried to answer it and was shocked to find caterers, stylists, and party organizers rushing in and setting everything up by Jaxon’s orders. Within an hour, they’d set up the entertaining room into a cozy but stylish party room, decorated with pink, purple and blue drop sheets, flowe
rs, and balloons.
“You’re going to love this,” I told Keifer as I led him into the room when all the professionals had left.
He sighed when he saw it, and I looked at him with concern.
“I just can’t wait for what’s happening after the party,” he explained with a smile.
Neither could I. As the days had ticked by, I’d become increasingly impatient, wanting to claim him every damn night. Now, my wolf could barely hold itself back from lunging and claiming him. I ran my fingers over the soft flesh at the base of his neck and let out a hungry moan. He took my hand away and kissed it softly.
“Just a few more hours, a few ridiculous gifts from our loved ones, and I’ll be yours.”
“Let’s just elope,” I said just before I pressed a kiss against his cheek.
“Run off into the forest and go for it?” He raised his eyebrows as if challenging me.
“God, don’t tempt me. Jaxon would kill us if he went to all of this trouble and we skedaddled.”
“He did all this?” Keifer looked around at the room again, seemingly with fresh eyes.
“Well he paid some professionals, but yes. He’s a good friend and a good son. Very supportive.”
Keifer smiled, his eyes glowing. He ran his hands over his belly. “I have a feeling he’s going to be a good brother too.”
I was battling with my tie when I heard the door to the bedroom creak open. I assumed it was Keifer sneaking it to grab something he’d forgotten, so I didn’t look up. That tie wasn’t going to fix itself.
“Dad.” Jaxon stood in the doorway, wearing a white button-up shirt and carrying his heavy jacket in his hands. “I wanted to talk to you before the ceremony.”
“What about, son?” I urged him to come over and held out the ends of my tie in a silent cry for help. He chuckled and placed his jacket on the bed before coming over to do a perfect Windsor Knot for me.
“I want you to know,” he said slowly as he looped the fabric. “That you have my complete blessing.”
I swallowed and tried to catch his eye to thank him, but he kept his gaze fixed on the tie.
“I also want you to know I’m over the moon that you found love again. And I’ve accepted that it’s with one of my best friends. I know you’re scared about what will happen, I know you’re scared about this new step of commitment. But I also know you’ve been one hell of a father to me, and I’m confident you will be to your new baby girl.”
When he looked up into my eyes, I’m sure he could see the tears threatening to pour down my cheeks.
“Thank you,” I said quietly. “That means more than I could ever say.”
Jaxon put a hand on my chest and patted it firmly. “No words needed, Dad. No words needed.”
The baby shower was an adorable affair with ridiculous games, delicious food, and lots of laughter. Most importantly, our closest pack members showered Keifer in the love, acceptance, and adoration he deserved. I stood at the back of the room with a drink in my hand and watched as he laughed and joked with the boys who were showing him how to swaddle a baby as if he hadn’t already had to do it a thousand times with Stacia.
“It’s tradition,” Shawn had insisted.
The look on his face was priceless. I caught him glancing around at his new family, the pack he’d grown up next to, without ever knowing it. The pack he’d always been part of, but not really. I couldn’t wait to officially bring him into it.
I was daydreaming about what his wolf might look like when Jaxon announced the party had to come to an end.
“Everyone out! The moon is rising, and I need help corralling the pack at the Lodge.” He ushered everyone out then gave me another pat on the chest. “Will I see you later?”
I shook my head. “I dare say I’d like to spend tonight with my mate.”
“Understood.” He nodded and was about to go when he stopped, turned back, and hugged me tightly. “I love you, Dad.”
I squeezed him tightly and my heart swelled. I felt my wolf nudging to rub up against him. My boy. My cub. “I love you too, Jax. I’m so proud of you.”
As we pulled away, it was his turn to have tears in his eyes. He wiped at them. “Alright. Okay. I’m off. Call me if you need anything.”
With the last of the pack out of the door, I shut it against the cold wind then hurried back to the entertaining room where Keifer sat, looking out at the gardens where the moon rose higher in the sky, shining silver light over the plants.
“Ready, my love?” I held out my hand as I stood before him. He looked up at me with so many emotions in his eyes, it felt like I was looking at many different people at once. Fear, excitement, innocence, eagerness, and determination flashed across his face before it finally settled into a big, happy smile.
“Yes.”
He took my hand and we hurried out into the garden.
A cold January breeze swept around us, sending chills over our skin as we stood on the deck, lit only by the moon and stars.
“Too cold?” I rubbed Keifer’s arms to stop him from trembling.
He shook his head and touched his belly. “This shifter baby keeps me running hot. I’m just excited. Nervous. Scared.”
I nodded and held his cheek gently. I’d facilitated countless claiming ceremonies in my time as lead alpha, and I’d helped to ease nerves before the big moment. But comforting my mate was different. Because now I was nervous too.
“It will hurt,” I told him honestly. “But then it will quickly fade, and you will see your wolf. Let him in, and he’ll settle, waiting for when you can shift.”
Keifer swallowed and nodded.
“Ready?”
“I just want to say some words.”
I raised my eyebrows and started to panic. “Sure, but you should know I didn’t prepare any vows or anything. We hadn’t really talked about that.” I rubbed the back of my neck and grimaced.
He smiled and shook his head. “No, nothing like that. I just want to say thank you.”
Keifer took my hands and looked me in the eye, and I tried to prepare myself for his words. But in truth, nothing could have prepared me for the vulnerability he showed.
“Thank you, Greer. Thank you for taking care of me when I was a boy, when my own father wasn’t doing a good job of that. Thank you for adopting Jaxon, so my best friend had a good home to grow up in. Thank you for never taking advantage of me—I know you didn’t even notice I was into you, but a sleazier man would have. Thank you for chasing my scent that night at Jason’s ceremony. Thank you for working to be a better man for me, and our family.”
I held back my tears with a clenched jaw and a firm grip on Keifer’s hands.
“And thank you for bringing me into your pack.”
Before I could speak, Keifer closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and leaned his head back, exposing his neck to me. My wolf didn’t hesitate. Like an electric shock, I lunged and sank my teeth into my mate’s neck. I felt the skin give way, and then the taste of blood filled my mouth.
For an instant, as my wolf howled, I felt like we were the same person, breathing at the same time, thinking the same thoughts, feeling the same emotions. It was a beautiful union but at the will of my wolf, I pulled back and held Keifer up with a strong grip on his shoulders. He was limp like a rag doll in my hands.
“Keifer? Keifer?” Panic surged in my chest, but then he gasped and blinked open his eyes.
“Greer… My wolf is amazing. I can feel him, right here.” He placed a palm on his chest and grinned. “I can’t wait until I can shift.”
I laughed and brought him into a big hug. “You’ll be able to once the baby is born.”
“Thank you,” he whispered.
“You don’t need to thank me for giving you something I should have done months ago. I am so sorry I wasn’t strong enough for—”
“Don’t. Don’t apologize, not now. We have a future to look forward to. Let’s spend our time doing that.”
“I love you,” I said in wond
er, awed at how beautiful this man was.
“I love you.” He pressed a hand against my chest and gazed into my eyes. I saw the new life in there, a flicker of something deep and ancient, the signal of a wolf.
Suddenly, a howl came from the south, toward the Wolf Lodge, and Keifer turned to follow the sound.
“The full moon run,” I explained, and he nodded.
“Don’t you want to go on the run?” Keifer asked.
“Normally I would.” I smiled at him as I took his hands and led him inside. “But I’d rather be here with you.”
I ran with the pack the following month, excited to run alongside my new official stepdaughter, Stacia. The month after that, I went again. It used to be the highlight of my month, and it still scratched an itch for me, but it was nothing compared to being with Keifer. With my claimed, fated mate. Our bond was incredibly strong, and I loved nothing more than being around him. I couldn’t wait for the day when he could run with us, but something had to happen first.
When June came around, Keifer went into extreme nesting mode, and I had a feeling he was going to go into labor any day now. He spent all day in the nursery, fussing with the decorations, reorganizing the bookshelf, checking and rechecking the labels on the toys to make sure they were safe, folding and refolding the overabundance of baby clothes that flowed from the dresser drawers.
“Greer, could you help me with this?” he asked, and I hurried from the den to find him sitting on the floor with a pile of onesies and t-shirts all around him.
“What’s going on? You just organized these yesterday.”
“That was by size. I thought it might be fun to organize them by color instead.” He laughed when he heard himself. “I better give birth soon, this is getting embarrassing.”
He wouldn’t have to wait long. He was technically due tomorrow. I crouched down and helped him sort gray from dark gray, navy from “common blue” as he called it, and white from cream.
“Wait.” Keifer gasped and I looked up at his face. Was it happening? Was it time?
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