by C. W. Gray
Sonny’s eyes widened when Thorwald shucked his clothes and shifted, joining the group. “What’s going on here?”
“Well,” Leo slowly drawled. “They’ve had the whole year to practice.”
“Practice?” Sonny squealed. “Are they all going to do it?”
The band started playing a fast, rolling tune and the dance began. Each of the shifters followed Aaron’s movements, with first their paws in the air. They shook them to the right, and Sonny cackled, sounding suspiciously like Myrtle.
Then Aaron and the others shook their paws to the left. Sonny bounced again. “It’s coming, it’s coming.”
Aaron’s furry little body shimmied, ears and tail bouncing. The others followed suit, the bears a lot clumsier than Aaron and Gemma. Then they shook their rear ends wildly, back and forth.
Aaron’s little cotton tail twerked in the air, and Sonny lost it. He laughed so hard he cried. Leo couldn’t help but laugh with him. If one dance made his mate so happy, he’d make Aaron and the others dance it every day.
Wendy giggled and clapped.
“See Mommy and Daddy, Wendy? There are all your bear friends too. Aren’t they perfect?” Sonny asked. “Aren’t they the best? One day, you’ll dance with them too, right? For Uncle Sonny?”
Leo leaned back, smiling widely. Damn, life is good.
Part IV
Carrot Cake and a Witch’s Surprise
Holiday Omegas: Book Four
Chapter 25
June
Sonny cursed as he hugged the toilet and threw up for the second time that morning. His head pounded and all he wanted to do was curl up in his husband’s lap and sleep. Stupid stomach needs to calm the hell down.
A bout of dizziness hit him, making him moan. I’m sorry, stupid stomach. You’re the boss, I swear.
A soft, warm weight settled against his back, and the dizziness started to fade. His familiar, Flufflepuff, rubbed her head against his side, her purring sending small, soothing vibrations through him.
Sonny almost moaned when a cool cloth was pressed to his head.
He glanced to his left. “Did I wake you?”
Leo rolled his eyes. “Seriously? You’re clearly feeling like shit and you’re afraid you woke me up?”
“Don’t yell at me,” Sonny said, lip trembling. He knew Leo wasn’t mad at him, but damn if he could control his emotions right then.
Leo’s eyes softened, and he rubbed Sonny’s back. “I’m sorry, sunshine. Is your stomach feeling better? Let me help you.”
Sonny let Leo pull him up and hold him steady as he brushed his teach and washed his face. “Carry me to the bed?”
“My pleasure.” Leo scooped him up and carried him back into their room. Ravenpaw, Sonny’s large, fluffy black cat watched them from the four-poster bed.
Leo settled Sonny in his spot, and Sonny curled around his pillow, sleep pulling at him. Flufflepuff hopped up and curled against his back again, steadily purring and offering her strength.
He vaguely heard Leo moving around the room, but Sonny felt it when Leo lit the first of the pre-spelled blue candles. A jolt of healing calm settled in his stomach, and he started to drift off to sleep.
Sonny rubbed his face against his pillow. “Don’t light the green ones anymore.” No need for fertility candles, he thought wryly.
He fell asleep to Leo’s rumbling laughter.
By the time he woke up again, morning sunshine poured through the wide windows. Sonny and Leo’s bedroom was cluttered with books, candles, and other knick-knacks. Colorful strands of glass hung from the ceiling and caught the sunbeams, sending shards of colored light to dance across the walls.
Home, he thought, sighing at the peace that filled him.
The closet doors stood open, and Sonny winced at the sight of all his clothes and shoes. I may have a problem. The light glinted off the shiny gold-heeled sandals he’d bought the day before. What am I saying? Shoes are life. There’s no problem here.
A warm breeze rustled his hair, and he noticed the balcony doors stood open. Sonny turned onto his back and pulled Fluff into his arms to pet as he watched the light dance across Leo’s broad, tan shoulders.
His mate stood on the balcony with his morning coffee. Ravenpaw wound between Leo’s bare feet, tail high in the air. Sonny loved that Leo didn’t even seem to notice his nakedness most of the time. His mate used to be so self-conscious of his soft stomach, but now, he barely remembered to wear shorts on the balcony.
Leo’s damn shoulders were too appealing. Sonny checked the time, then snapped his fingers, lighting the three red candles spread around the room.
He set Flufflepuff on Leo’s pillow and slid out of bed, happy that his stomach was settled. For some reason, it always chose three in the morning to be a dickhead.
Sonny snuck behind Leo and wrapped his arms around his mate’s waist, hugging him tightly and breathing in his warm, masculine scent. “Good morning.”
Leo set his coffee on the rail and turned around, pulling Sonny close and kissing him. Sonny enjoyed the press of his mate’s large body against his own.
“You lit the red candles, didn’t you?” Leo asked, amusement filling his voice. “Do we have time?”
Sonny leaned back, glaring. “There’s always time for morning sex.”
Leo’s laughter shook them both. “What was I thinking?”
“It’s okay,” Sonny said, patting Leo’s cheek. “No one can be completely perfect.”
Leo leaned down and nibbled on Sonny’s neck. “You’re the tastiest treat, sunshine. What would I do without you?”
Sonny gently bit Leo’s chin. “Die alone, because I will haunt your ass if you try to mate someone else if I die. Now, we have a little over an hour before we both need to leave. Get your ass in gear. I want morning fun times and strawberry pancakes.”
Leo hummed low in his throat and pulled them into the room as Sonny pressed kisses to his shoulders. “I live to serve my mate.”
“Good answer.” Sonny trailed his mouth down Leo’s chest. “Why do you always taste so good? You do it on purpose, don’t you?”
Leo’s laugh ended on a gasp when Sonny teased his nipples. He groaned and shivered when Sonny’s teeth tugged gently on one nub.
“Sonny,” he said, voice rough.
Sonny ignored him and slid to his knees. He pulled Leo’s sleep shorts down to free his dick. “Yummiest honey bear in the whole world. Love you.”
Leo ran his hand through Sonny’s hair. “I love you too, sunshine.”
Sonny wrapped his hands around Leo’s dick and tugged, pumping him hard. When his mate’s groans hit a certain familiar pitch, Sonny leaned forward and sucked the tip into his mouth as he continued to stroke Leo. Yep, tastiest man in the world.
“Need you,” Leo said, head falling back when Sonny swallowed him deep.
Sonny snorted a laugh when Leo pulled him to his feet. “Impatient much?”
Leo hummed in agreement and kissed him, licking the precum off his lips. His hands slid down Sonny’s back and cupped his ass, pulling their hips together before picking him up and setting him on the dresser.
Leo slid Sonny’s silky pajama bottoms off and leaned down to suck the tip of Sonny’s dick. “I’m not the only one with an addictive taste, sunshine.”
Sonny wiggled his hips. “Inside me, please.”
Leo smiled softly, then grabbed the lube. He pressed a finger against Sonny’s pucker, slipping the tip in and making Sonny shiver with need.
Sonny panted and spread his legs wider as Leo pushed his finger deeper and trailed kisses along Sonny’s neck, lingering over the mating mark on Sonny’s neck.
Leo slid more fingers in, stretching Sonny, before angling his hips and slowly sinking into him.
They moved together slowly at first, but they fit too well and it felt too good to last long.
Leo moved faster and faster until Sonny’s climax splattered them both with cum. Sonny’s ass clenched around Leo’s dick. Leo’
s growl made Sonny’s dick harden again.
Leo let himself go, pounding in and out of Sonny’s ass, shaking the dresser under them.
Sonny came again, and Leo followed, filling Sonny’s ass.
They panted against each other for a few moments. “Pancakes, right?” Sonny asked, rubbing his face against Leo’s shoulder.
Leo chuckled. “I love how you stick to a plan.”
Sonny grinned and kissed Leo’s own mating mark. “You shower and I’ll cook.”
“Yes, darling,” Leo said with a smirk and slowly eased from his body. “Do you need anything first?”
“Nope.” Sonny smacked Leo’s bare ass as he walked past, making his mate yelp in surprise. “I got what I needed.”
Leo laughed all the way to the bathroom.
Sonny slid on his robe and debated shutting the balcony doors before deciding to leave them open. The room smelled of sex now and could use some airing out.
The cats followed him downstairs, doing their best to murder him on the stairs as they darted between his feet.
He filled their feed bowls and refreshed their water before turning his attention to his own breakfast. He quickly brewed another pot of coffee for Leo and made himself a cup of red raspberry leaf tea, pre-spelled to treat nausea and mood swings.
Sonny sipped his tea, then put together the batter for the pancakes, adding his intentions for the day. “A little orange peel for centering and blessings and all the strawberries in the world because I need them.” He popped a strawberry in his mouth and moaned, wiggling in happiness. “Also good for health, luck, and reinforcing love and romance.”
And fertility, he added to himself, smiling at his secret. They had been eating strawberry pancakes every morning for two months now, only partially because Sonny had been craving them.
He walked onto the first story balcony and picked a few leaves of peppermint from his potted herb rack. “Can’t forget the most important herb. Peppermint for love, healing, and energy.”
Sonny had the table set and their breakfast laid out by the time Leo came down the stairs. His mate looked as yummy as ever in his work coveralls with the Rocci’s Garage logo covering the back.
Leo gave him a kiss and held his chair for him as he sat. “This looks as good as always, love.”
“I made a spinach basil lasagna for you to take in today.” Sonny stuffed a strawberry in his mouth. Basil could be spelled to help with businesses and money making, so he usually tried to make dishes with it to send with Leo to his family’s garage.
Fortunately, the family of bear shifters loved his cooking and were happy to have homemade lunches every Tuesday and Friday.
“That’s Coleen’s favorite.” Leo methodically worked his way through his pancakes. “Thank you for taking care of us, sunshine.”
Warmth filled Sonny at Leo’s words. Sonny loved having a family to take care of. His mentor, Myrtle, would only let him coddle her so much before she yelled and threatened to turn him into a hamster.
“You’re still planning on only working a half-day today, right?” Leo asked, eyes full of concern. “You’ve been working non-stop at the shop all summer, so you deserve the vacation.”
Sonny nodded, trying to hide his excitement. Summer Solstice, known as Litha in witch society, was Sunday, and he and Leo were taking the weekend to visit Leo’s grandparents on their farm. Sonny planned to tell Leo his secret on Sunday.
He had a special scrying and blessing to do on Litha this year.
“I’m all set for our long weekend. Tilisha and Devin are watching the shop tomorrow, and we’re closed for Litha on Sunday and Monday. Everything’s handled.”
Sonny smiled when Leo scooped some of his strawberries onto Sonny’s empty plate. He quickly ate them, relishing the sweet juiciness.
“Are you still happy with Devin?” Leo asked, smiling as he watched Sonny eat the last strawberry.
Sonny nodded and swallowed his bite. “He’s good with customers and doesn’t mind making most of the potions since Myrtle is retiring. That leaves Tilisha to handle the front register with Dev and me to spot her when we can.”
At the beginning of the month, Sonny’s mentor had finally made the decision to retire from the shop. They had already hired Devin and it had seemed like the right time. Myrtle had handed the reins over to Sonny and went on a long vacation to visit her sister on the coast.
Sonny missed her more than he wanted to admit, but she was coming back after Litha.
As soon as they finished breakfast, Leo stood and started gathering dishes. “I’ll clean up and you go shower, sunshine. Do you mind if I take Ravenpaw with me to work today? You might need Flufflepuff if your stomach starts bothering you again.”
Sonny watched the two cats lounging on the cat tree in front of the largest window in the living room. Fluff looked up and gave him a sweet look. She usually went with Leo so she could watch over him for Sonny.
“That will work,” he said, finally. “Ravenpaw needs some Rocci family loving anyway.”
He quickly showered and considered his clothes. It was going to be a warm summer day, and he was feeling particularly wonderful at the moment. “Today is a sundress kind of day.”
He pulled out the long, blue, front button maxi dress with the large yellow flowers on it. Definitely goes with the raffia heels and my gold hoop earrings, he thought. Time for a good day.
By noon, Sonny was drooping. He sat in one of the comfortable reading chairs in front of the window, Flufflepuff purring in his lap.
The shop had expanded over the last year. Instead of a cozy room with a few shelves of potions and tonics and a small display of baked goods, it was now a large open space with several racks of potions, tonics, and other pre-spelled items along with a small café style seating area. A few months ago, they had started serving fresh tea and now customers tended to linger a bit longer.
Devin gave him a concerned look and handed him a cup of his red raspberry leaf tea. “Are you sure you’re okay?”
Sonny rolled his eyes. “I’ll be okay. I just need to rest for a moment.”
Tilisha leaned over the back of the chair. “That first trimester is a pain in the ass, isn’t it?”
Sonny gave her his best innocent look. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
She arched a brow. “Just make sure you rest when you’re tired. Don’t push yourself. Devin here is a half-way decent kitchen witch and can handle some of the baking by himself.”
Devin gave her a dry look. “Gee, thanks, T.”
The omega kitchen witch was a stark contrast to Tilisha’s soft curves and warm brown skin. His tall, pale frame was all angles and edges. Their personalities, however, were very similar. The two were both smart, hardworking, and sarcastic as hell.
“Seriously, though, the store probably needs a break from all the fertility enhancing cakes and cookies you’ve been making anyway.” Tilisha grinned. “Mrs. Daly isn’t happy with you, by the way. She ate some of her daughter’s carrot cake, and now they’re both pregnant and due at the same time.”
Sonny held his hands up. “That’s not my fault. Missy and her mate have been trying to have a baby for a long time. I just helped. It’s not my fault Missy didn’t tell her not to eat the cake.”
Tilisha shook her head and went to help a customer.
Devin gave him another concerned look. “Really, though, I can handle more of the baking if you need me to.”
“Thank you, Dev.” Sonny polished off his cup of tea and reluctantly stood. “Now, Fluff and I have an appointment with my apprentice.”
Devin took his mug and handed him a bag. “I made you some oatmeal cookies last night. Have a good weekend, boss, and don’t worry about the shop.”
Sonny gave him a suspicious look. “What kind of oatmeal cookies?”
“Cookies to aid in strength and, uh…” He looked at Sonny’s abdomen. “Other things.”
Sonny pulled the omega into a hug and squeezed him tightly. “Tha
nk you, Devin.”
The other witch flushed. “No problem. Enjoy Litha, Sonny.”
“You too.” Sonny frowned as he picked up Flufflepuff. Normally, he celebrated the summer solstice with Myrtle, his best friend Aaron, and now that he had mated, Leo. It felt odd not having everyone there.
Myrtle was at the coast, and Aaron, his mate, and their daughter had left town yesterday. His friend hadn’t explained where he was going. In fact, Aaron had been acting shifty for a few weeks now.
Sonny shook his thoughts away and waved to Tilisha before leaving the shop. The walk to the apartment complex wasn’t long, but it didn’t help Sonny’s fatigue.
Miles was already in the apartment. Sonny’s young apprentice was playing with his familiar, Cookie, in the living room.
He looked up, smile fading. “You don’t look so good.”
Sonny slipped his heels off and sat on the couch. “I’m just a little tired. Give me a minute and we’ll begin your lesson. We’re covering pre-spelling items today.”
Miles frowned. “I think we should have a break today.”
He pulled Sonny from the couch and led him to the kitchen. “Sit at the bar, and I’ll make your favorite treat.”
Sonny smiled and did as he was told. “What’s that?”
“Lately, you’ve been eating a lot of carrot cake.” Miles tapped his chin. “Sugar to attract what you want. In this case, I want you to feel better. Then oat flour for comfort, and carrots for… fertility.” He gave Sonny a suspicious look. “You’re pregnant, aren’t you?”
Sonny snickered. “I’ve been eating spelled carrot cake and spelled strawberries, lighting spelled green candles, and completing a morning fertility blessing every day for two months. I’m pregnant.”
Miles grinned and hugged him. “You and Leo will be good dads. Now, I’m adding chamomile for health and protection. That will go okay in a carrot cake, right?”
