by Emma Knox
Hell, it was the best that he could do. I proved myself to him. And when the early morning came: although still dark out, my thoughts of those rouge wolves died away as I licked my wounds and rubbed against my legs to get the blood pumping, I heard him stir back into the real world.
I sniffed him. Smelt the cookie goodness once more, along with another scent. A new one. A younger cookie-crumble came as I used my nose that trailed down upon his whole body. I went upwards and downwards: stopping just above the navel area and pressing my nose closer to his skin. I inhaled until my whole body rose. And then pressed my nose back. I did the same thing again, but this time, I licked him across the stomach to get a taste.
He tasted well. Then I removed myself from his navel and watched as Arden stretched his arms out and rubbed his eyes: then opening them to see me above him and peering down. He smiled gently. I stroked the back of his hair and then nestled myself beside him in a snuggle at the side of his neck. I buried my nose into him. He purred sweetly.
“You slept as if you were fighting a war all on your own.” I stroked the top of Arden’s head. He flinched from me.
“I’ve had to.” He said no more and rolled to his other side.
I brought him back to face me abruptly. “You know I’m here. I’ve proven that to you and your family. After what I did for you yesterday.”
“Don’t think I’m not grateful, Samson. But there are fish that need catching in darker ponds. And even I don’t know if you can cast a fishing rod there.”
“That’s steep.”
“It’s the best way to describe my nightmares. I’ve never had another sleep by me before. Was it frightening to you?”
“I wouldn’t say frightening.” I sat up and rested against the bedframe. “You were more troubled then I’ve ever known. It was a battle against someone…something… if I’m honest you needed help.”
He sat up. “I’ve done alright on my own.”
“I used to say similar. I never need an Omega. Now look at me.”
“What’s changed for you, Samson?”
“Meeting you.”
Arden pressed his shoulder against mine; whilst gently patting his stomach. I watched him do this.
“Seeing you pregnant.” I placed my hand on his own pair. “Gives me that hope, that my choice to have you as my mate is the right one. It fits. It’s perfect. And we are meant to be together.”
“Nothing is perfect.”
“I know.” I removed my hand. “I know. But you have my son in there. And I can’t just let the pair of you slip away and do nothing. What kind of a father would do that? More-so, what kind of a man would ignore his responsibility for his child?”
“How do you know that it’s a boy?”
“The uncanny ability to smell the gender. I think it’s the patent similarity to your odour. That little one has the same flavour as you. He also leans more to the spectrum of what young males smell like at a certain point during birth.”
“You impress me. I think you could be right. I did have a feeling that it could be a boy.”
“And does that please you, Arden?”
“I wouldn’t mind either.”
I placed my arm around him; brought him closer and kissed him on the top of his head. “Was he that bad? Your previous mate?”
Arden said nothing. But I felt the stiffness in his body as I glanced at him from the side. Then realized that the time had come to ask him about those scars on his spine and entire back.
“I hadn’t said anything at first, but I know that something troubling went downhill with you, Arden. And it’s enough to keep you from fully giving yourself to me. I just want you to know that whatever happened, I’m not the same person as he.”
“How can I be sure?”
“I suppose you can’t. You can only choose to give me a chance.”
Arden sighed with a deep sorrow and a laid-back smirk.
It affected me to see him like that. “Those scars on your back…was that his doing?”
Arden shrugged nonchalantly. “Maybe… Maybe not.”
“Arden…tell me.”
“Samson, let’s just say I dated the wrong Alpha who didn’t have the most pleasant of tempers—”
“I’ll kill the fucking swine!”
“Not if I can help it!” Arden sat upon my lap and peered into my eyes. “Did you hear that? Not if I can help it.”
“Why not?”
“Because I’m not going to tell you.”
“Arden, if I find out who did this to you, you’ll have no choice in the matter. But fine. Don’t tell me then.” I gave the baby bump a rub, and then dragged him into my arms which he gladly accepted. His smell enticed me. It brought a weakness to my legs. A shudder in my fingers as I ran my hands down to find his stick.
I laid him down onto the bed and he pulled down his boxers. The time to get hot and heavy was not at this moment. Neither of us wanted that kind of sex. But I wanted to try something new with him. To show him that although his body no doubt sent me into a frenzy, I was still capable of doing a gentlemanly thing.
A simple lick. Just one lick of his penial gland and he erupted with excitement expecting more. But a gentleman would control his urge to give it to him. Then I removed myself from that area and climbed on top: hugging him and pressing down upon the nakedness of his lower body.
He laughed, and I joined him with that. A move he could appreciate. Most men wouldn’t be able to say no to Arden and him wanting more. Especially with his package out in the open.
I nuzzled down on his nose. “Will you be my mate?”
“Yes. It’s a brand-new morning, and right now, as I look at you, I can’t help but smile.”
We kissed.
I’d never been to a cheese-fest before. But me and Arden were laying out all the cheese onto the platter. Love could have you doing that. Forgetting that all around you was the real world and plenty was wrong within it. But we allowed ourselves the chance to forget. Gave ourselves some space from the rogue wolves who had really turned the manor upside down.
The Wine household would need plenty of repairs when it came to the living room. A better upkeep when it came to security. And a little more in terms of keeping intruders off the property. That was one thing that passed Arden’s mind. After all, it was difficult to ignore his father who clearly wanted to get it done as soon as possible as he spoke to little Fiona downstairs.
But we still rotated in our bliss. Me sneaking a peak at his stomach and him blowing me a savoury kiss and then kissing his palm and placing it on the baby. He cringed. I cringed. Then we laughed as he tidied the bed. Aired out his room. Helped me wash out my cuts once more. And then proceeded to go down the stairs together with nothing but the future in our grasps. We made our way to the truck and I opened the door for him to get in. His waddling didn’t bother me. I could almost describe him as a walking balloon close to bursting.
He looked a beautiful picture as he stepped up into my truck and I closed the door behind him. I went over to the driver’s door and heard both Flynn and Fiona running toward the truck as soon as I jumped in and closed it. They both came right to my mirror and had a nosey look at Arden who was the picture of a happy seal grinning from both ends.
I must’ve looked pretty pleased with myself as I gave my truck a kick up the behind and then smiled down at Flynn and Fiona.
“Where are you two going in such happy moods? It’s a blessing. It truly is,” Flynn said.
“Just taking a short trip. I thought Arden could use a little fresh air.” I look to the broken window. “You going to get that fixed sooner than later?”
“Sure am.” Flynn lifted Fiona into his arms and I squeezed her stubby nose. “Me and this one are going clean up as much as we can before getting some work in. Right, darling?”
“Yep. Can’t have the house looking like that, can we, Father?”
“Precisely.”
They both look to Arden. “You’re very quiet over there. Is ther
e something that you want to share with your family, Arden?” Fiona asked this and both me and Flynn smirked with a giggle at the directness that would surely score her the perfect mate. Who wouldn’t appreciate a straight to the point mate? Flynn bounced her in his arms. And Arden stayed inaudible with that grin that he couldn’t misplace.
Fiona stuck out her tongue at Arden.
I wound up my window and waved goodbye to both Flynn and Fiona before driving off. Then Arden decided to wind down his own before yelling-out at the top of his lungs, “I found a mate!” He repeated, “I found a mate!”
I saw the Wine family in the side-mirror, Flynn happily bouncing an ecstatic Fiona in his arms. I kept my eyes on their joy until I couldn’t see them any longer.
We came to the Reluson manor. I parked, and helped Arden down from the truck. He insisted that he walk — knowing that my injuries made it a little difficult to be the courier. It took me awhile to accept that. My ignorance played with me because he looked so fragile, and there I was all this muscle-mass and energy whilst he made his way inside. I limped a little. The cleaned cuts on my arms hurt. But they were minor grievances that would heal sooner rather than later. I had no worries as I snuck up behind him to help him up a couple of stairs. He wasn’t happy about that. So, I stepped back and gave him some independence.
When we got inside, I wondered if Arden would compare the Reluson Manor to his own. The grounds outside had a mini pond in the shape of a paint palette. Yellow ducks sat upon it. And we often had visits from young geese who enjoyed a spot of fishing for tadpoles and small fishes. They wouldn’t get much of a catch, as hardly any fish lived in there. But birds seemed to enjoy it as a refreshment area.
The winding path that led to the main door and driveway was planted with a long line of blue perennial flowers and then two large desolate trees that looked wilted and sunburnt at the end of it. The manor itself was a haunted house, but much prettier in the daylight. At night, it was eerie, but had a majestic appeal when an individual would gaze at its height: a mini castle was what covered its description.
It was an obvious bachelor’s pad on the inside, but Ethan and the twins were starting to make it a home. Trevor spared no expense at keeping it politically roomy. The high ceiling ran through until the staircase was met at the other end and it twirled like a lady in her skirt to the top floor.
The foyer wasn’t too large, Arden’s was bigger, but he opened his mouth and gave a small gasp. “Pretty impressive.”
I closed the front door and immediately heard footsteps that came to greet us. I knew who that was. I couldn’t misplace that familiarity. The march came to an end when he touched the bottom of the stair. I informed Arden to wait by the door whilst I went to speak to Trevor.
“You ok?”
“Yes.” Arden gave me a wholehearted smile.
“And the kid?”
“He seems to be pretty content right now.”
“Ok. I’m just going to speak with Trevor for a bit. You just…wait here and I’ll be back to get you settled.”
“Samson, I’m not a china doll. I might be an Omega, but there is some strength in me you know.”
I stroked his cheek. “I know. I get that. I only want to make sure that everything is a-ok. Forgive me for the pampering. It’s not even something I’m used to.”
“I’m not saying I don’t like it, Samson—”
Trevor called me over, “Samson, a word.”
“Yeah.” I turned back to Arden. “Don’t you go anywhere.” I made him smile and stroked his cheek again.
I strolled over to Trevor, who greeted me with a pat on the side of my shoulder and I do the same to the other end of his.
“I’m glad you’re ok.” Hearing Trevor’s relief brightened my spirit. When in need I could count on this guy for help.
“Of course, I’m ok, Trevor. What did you think happened?”
“I was beginning to think you went and got yourself lost.”
“I’m a grown man. It was a pretty direct route to that party. And I promise, I didn’t stop off for any unhealthy pickings.”
“Sense of humour back then?” I saw his eyes divert to a heavily pregnant Arden. “Is that your doing?”
I diverted my eyes back to Arden with him. “You mean the baby? Or Arden standing there in your manor?”
“Both?” His irises were on me again. “I thought you didn’t want to get-it-on with any Omega?”
“Well I changed my mind when I saw that one.”
“He sure is pretty.”
“I wouldn’t bring back seconds.”
Trevor enjoyed my good mood. It was rubbing off on him. “Cutting all that aside though, you just disappeared on me. No word. No explanation. I had to find out through Steven. And he didn’t even tell me much.”
“What did he say?”
“Like I said, not much. Just that you were searching for an Omega. And by the looks of it, you’ve found what you wanted.”
“Well, I respect that from him. No offence, Trevor, but I needed to sort that out on my own. And any interferences would’ve hampered my chances.”
“So, you were with him all this time?”
“That’s right. Had to keep an eye on them both.”
Trevor nodded as if he’d heard enough. The story fit, and he could go back to doing what he did best: being in charge. “We’ll talk about those scars another time then?”
“If you want a brief run-down, there was an attack. And I helped the Wine family out.”
“Bravo. Bravo. Well, grab something to eat and bring him into the waiting room. I should go over and say hello first though.”
“I’m glad I didn’t have to be the one to tell you to do that, Trevor.”
“I have manners. And he’s too pretty for me to not get acquainted.”
“Eyes off, you have your own mate!”
Trevor sniggered at my ownership of my mate, and made his way over to Arden with me beside him. I hoped he wouldn’t scare the guy. Arden could be quite reserved, and I didn’t want to point that out to him. Trevor wasn’t too much of a scary guy. In ways I’m bigger.
His hand was outstretched for Arden to grab. “I’m Trevor.”
“Nice to meet you, Trevor.” Arden coyly took his hand. The difference in size was quite uncanny and amused me.
They let go. “Let’s get you comfortable. That’s a baby you got in there and you should rest.”
Chapter 11
Arden
Both Trevor and Samson treated me like a princess. I’d say prince, but Alpha’s had the ability to make an Omega feel like frilly skirts and tutus were what we should wear. I didn’t feel emasculated at all in Samson’s presence, he was larger and by all means more dominant as he carried me into the waiting room. But he valued me enough to know that I was no wuss.
I tried to tell him no, I could walk, but Samson liked to feel useful. In charge. All the things that a usual Alpha wanted, but still empathetic and aware when he burdened me. And in every way, I enjoyed the attention he would give me. It was a rarity to feel so sheltered when the past few weeks had been the rockiest for me.
It hadn’t been easy to deal with: him being invited into my home. Not knowing much at all about Samson, and then carrying his child when all the while I wanted to raise it on my own just for the sake of an inheritance. And then to have him hold me the other night and tell me that he wanted me to be his mate. It was a continuous belt-in-the-mouth and I had to shut up.
The problem with me was I had it firmly stacked in my mind that I would not be looking for an Alpha. But Samson’s knocked the blocks down and wiggled his way into my heart like a worm sticking its head out of an apple. A chimp unpeeling a banana and eating it. And finding that seven was truly a lucky number. And if that’s not remarkable then I don’t want to remember my past.
It came back to me in a lightning bolt. But Samson rocked it to sleep as I sat in the waiting room that was covered with the colours of a golden wolf on the wallpaper. The
ir love for the beast was painted as two large eyes and a pair of uncommon canines. I knew that Trevor was the head of the Reluson wolf pack from Borthing town and that he was mated to Ethan. And Samson worked under him.
The waiting room was a few burgundy sofas laid out with hourglass-shaped tables beside each one in a half-circle. There were a few well-made jackets that hung on a skeletal coat hanger that could take at least six coats at the back. A couple of small wolf-like clocks carved from mahogany wood were placed on the ledge.
I liked the room. It was unpredictable for a pack as I would expect. Trevor clearly had an eccentric taste in décor and wallpapering and it suited me fine. I made myself comfortable to the joy of Trevor who was eager to see that I ate…drank…had a pillow behind my back. And even sniffed one of his rare beauties: a plant that resembled a sunflower, but had blue petals and a yellow centre.
He claimed it healed old wounds. And named it Eleptis. I gave it a quick whiff and then went and sat down because I started to feel light-headed. But I noticed that the scars on my back began to prickle and any irregularities in my body subsided. The baby which was kicking stopped. And my headache that was trying to come forth disbanded.
“Can I get you anything else?” Trevor stood above me whilst he asked me this.
“I think I have enough meat and raw vegetables here. What kind is this?”
“We enjoy goat meat. Its’s a speciality in this manor. I suppose your father prefers antelope or raw beef?”
“We do love beef. It’s common for us to eat.”
“Ah. I enjoy it on odd occasions. How is Flynn?”
“You know my father?”
“I’ve heard of him. I know that the Wine family own the majority of these lands. And with you expecting, it should go on being that way.”
“Word gets out pretty easy.”
“No. I’m just the head of this house. And not much goes amiss by me, Arden. If you’re ok with everything, I’ll just go over and speak with Samson and send him right back to you.”
