by Walsh Maggie
“Why?”
“Because I don’t ever want to live one more day without either of them in my life. I now have so much more to lose, and I know that if I lose either of them, it will destroy me. That connection that bonds mates is the most incredible thing, though. It fills you with joy and consumes your every thought, but in a good way. Having Josh and Milo in my corner for always, to stand by my side, and give me their support, is the best gift I have ever received. Now that I have them, I don’t know how I lived before without them there.”
“But aren’t mates supposed to protect each other? Look at me. I can’t protect Demetrius. Look at him. How is he supposed to protect me?”
“Size doesn’t matter.”
“Yeah, you can say that. Look at you. You’re freaking huge, Maddy. I swear you’ve grown a few inches, and now that you’re training to be an enforcer, your body is just getting bigger, more muscular, and your mates are no small potatoes either. Neither of them is as built as you, but both can kick some serious ass when needed.”
“We are paranormals living in dark times. I have a human mate that will now have longer life, and be able to heal quickly because of Josh and me, but he will never have powers like the rest of us will get. It scares the fuck out of me thinking about Milo being in our world and all the shit that could happen to him, and he won’t have at least one power that may help to keep him safe. The point of mates is to have someone to lean on, someone to hold you when the world gets crazy. Someone who will love you no matter what, who will listen to all your fears without judgement, and who will do everything they can to help you. They protect the best of you by protecting your heart and soul.” Maddy’s voice was strained with emotion.
“Perfectly said, son,” Raith said from beside them.
Mitchell flinched, and they both turned to look at the beta. He stood a few feet away, looking at Maddy with pride in his eyes, but he wasn’t alone. Everyone from the house stood with him, each looking at Maddy and Mitchell. Josh and Milo both had tears in their eyes as they stared at Maddy. Josh swallowed hard and nodded.
“How long have you all been standing there?” Maddy asked.
“Since you said, ‘I know I was a prick.’” Milo snickered.
Maddy looked back to Mitchell to see that the poor guy was beet-red with embarrassment, and he was shaking so much that he looked like he was about to jump out of his skin. Maddy lifted an arm and wrapped it around Mitchell’s shoulders, then leaned in and whispered in his ear.
“Once you get to know your mate, you’ll see how amazing he is, and he will see how incredible you are, and even though I don’t know Demetrius that well, I know that he is amazing because I wouldn’t expect fate to give you anything less. No one here is judging you. This big, wonderful family we are all now a part of only wants to see you happy, and we all are here to help you and your mate to protect each other.”
Mitchell nodded and lowered his chin to his arms again. “Thanks, Maddy,” he whispered.
“Anytime. You’re my brother, man. I will always be here for you,” Maddy whispered back and gave Mitchell’s shoulder a squeeze.
“Excuse me,” Demetrius interrupted.
Mitchell’s head snapped up, and he turned in his mate’s direction. Maddy gave Demetrius a smile, released Mitchell, and stood.
“May I speak with you in private, mate?” Demetrius asked shyly.
“I gotta go help dig out the garage, so…”
Maddy stepped away and walked over to the large group standing behind Demetrius. Josh opened his arms and wrapped them around Maddy, hugging him close and kissing his lips. Milo wrapped his arms around both of them, and as soon as Josh pulled back from the kiss, Milo claimed Maddy’s lips with his.
“Oh hell, I think we just lost three of our snow-shoveling mules,” Taylor whined.
Demetrius stepped away from them and turned toward the driveway. He raised his hands straight out in front of him and then threw them open wide to his sides. For as far as they could see, the snow covering the cars and driveway lifted, parted like the Red Sea, and blew to the sides, leaving a completely clear driveway in front of them. Demetrius lowered his arms and looked back at everyone shyly.
“Well, shit. That’ll work, too.” Shelby snickered. “Thanks, Demi. I was so not looking forward to possibly breaking a nail. You rock, cutie.”
“You got skills, Demi,” Maddy said.
Demetrius blushed from the praise, and his eyes flashed in Mitchell’s direction.
“Thank you, Demetrius,” Micah added and turned his attention to the rest of the group. “Seeing as Demetrius helped us all out and we don’t need to clear this driveway, how about we all head out and see if anyone else in the pack needs help digging out?”
“We can head home and start there,” Milo offered, motioning to himself and his mates.
“That would be great, Milo. The rest of us will spread out in pairs.”
“Excuse me, Alpha,” Demetrius interrupted. Micah turned to look at the angel Nephilim. “Jesse, Taylor, Shelby, and Raffy should all be able to do that, too. You might be able to, as well,” he offered.
“Thanks again, Demetrius. Why don’t you and your mate stay here and talk, and the rest of us will go see what we can do.” Everyone moved off the front patio and made their way to their cars.
* * * *
“Aren’t you cold out here?” Demetrius asked as he stepped closer to Mitchell.
“Yes, but between my coat and my shifter genes, it’s not too bad,” Mitchell answered and looked up at his mate shyly. His eyes went wide when he saw that his mate wore no coat. Mitchell jumped to his feet and stripped off his coat. “Here, put this on. You must be freezing your balls off,” he said in a hurried voice and wrapped his coat around Demetrius’s shoulders.
Demetrius looked at him in surprise, but there was a small smile on his lips. “Thank you. It is rather cold out here. Won’t you need this?” Demetrius asked as he pulled Mitchell’s coat closer around his chin.
“I’m okay. I know you don’t like the cold. Maybe we should go inside so you don’t freeze,” Mitchell offered and gently grabbed Demetrius’s elbow, turning him toward the door.
“Okay.”
They went inside and entered the kitchen. Mitchell sat on a stool at the center island counter. Demetrius went to the stove and smelled the contents of the pot.
“Jesse left hot cocoa, and it’s still hot. Would you like some?”
“Yes, please. Jesse makes the best hot cocoa I have ever had.”
“I know. I can’t get enough of this. I’ll miss it when I go home,” Demetrius said as he poured two cups. “Mini marshmallows?”
“Oh, yes. Thank you.”
Demetrius tossed a few small marshmallows into each cup and turned. He sat on the stool beside Mitchell and placed both mugs on the counter. Mitchell picked up the one Demetrius placed in front of him and took a big gulp. He placed the mug back down and cleared his throat.
“You’re going home? Where exactly is that?” he asked nervously.
“To the gods. I live up,” Demetrius pointed up.
Mitchell’s eyes opened wide. “You actually live up…with the gods?”
“Yes, I am an angel Nephilim. I am the smallest to have ever been born, and it was too dangerous for the gods to let me remain on earth as they have with a few others.”
“Why is it dangerous?”
“Most Nephilim are larger than even the Alpha Prime. Look at me. If I stand really straight, I may reach five foot five,” Demetrius answered with a laugh.
Mitchell smiled bright and laughed, too. “And I would just about make five foot seven.”
“So we’re perfectly matched in size.” Demetrius continued to laugh.
“Why would you be going home?” Mitchell asked.
“Because my job here is done. Rory has been a great student, and his craft is remarkable. I wouldn’t say he is better than Zane because Zane knows a hell of a lot more spells than Rory, but Rory has
become a pretty powerful witch. The gods only allowed me to come here to help Rory. I don’t really want to go. I have come to love it here and all these people, but now that Rory doesn’t need me anymore, it’s time to go home.”
“Will the gods still expect you to go now that you found your mate?” Mitchell asked anxiously.
Demetrius’s eyes went wide with excitement, and he stared at Mitchell. “No. I am sure they wouldn’t make me return now, not that I have found you.”
Demetrius was so excited he didn’t realize what he was doing. He flung himself against Mitchell and wrapped his arms around him, squeezing him tight. Mitchell was stunned for a moment but then returned the hug, wrapping his arms around his mate. After a few moments, Demetrius stiffened and slowly released Mitchell. They pulled apart, and Demetrius looked down in embarrassment.
“I’m sorry,” he whispered apologetically.
“I’m not,” Mitchell answered shyly.
Demetrius snapped his head up, and he looked at Mitchell in surprise. Mitchell gave him a shy smile, and Demetrius returned it. He grabbed his mug, took a sip of his cocoa, and placed it back on the counter. Mitchell leaned toward him, and Demetrius pulled back slightly in confusion. Mitchell leaned farther in, and just as their faces were an inch apart, Mitchell stuck out his tongue and licked across Demetrius’s lips. Demetrius gasped from the contact, and Mitchell pulled back a few inches. They stared into each other’s eyes.
“You had a chocolate mustache, and for some reason I couldn’t help myself,” Mitchell explained breathlessly.
“I liked it.”
Demetrius moved closer, closing the gap between them and pressed his lips to Mitchell’s. They both opened their mouths and slid their tongues together briefly. Demetrius pulled back an inch, releasing Mitchell’s lips, and looked into his eyes. He saw the same look of wonder and want in Mitchell’s eyes as he was sure was in his own. Silently, they both leaned in again and recaptured each other’s lips.
Taylor and Shelby silently walked backward until they were back in the foyer. They clasped hands and raced up the stairs. Once at the top, they both giggled. “That was the most adorable thing I have ever seen in my life,” Taylor snickered.
“I know, right? It was such an ‘aw’ moment. It melted my heart,” Shelby said.
“Let’s get your sunglasses, princess, and get the hell out of here before they know we came back,” Taylor said, and they both ran down the hall toward Shelby and Xander’s suite.
* * * *
Evan stretched and sighed at how content he felt.
“Well, that was a good sigh,” Raphael said in a sleepy voice from behind him.
Evan smiled and cuddled back into his mate’s embrace. “I don’t want to move. I want to stay right here, wrapped in your arms all day.”
“That sounds wonderful to me. Maybe I can make love to you over and over until we both pass out.” Raphael kissed the back of his head.
“Again?” Evan giggled.
“Are you complaining already, mate?” Raphael teased.
“Hell no. I just thought that after the four times last night you would have had enough by now.”
“Never, mate. I will never get enough of you,” Raphael growled and gently bit Evan’s shoulder.
“Mmmm,” Evan moaned and tightened his hold on Raphael’s arms around his waist.
Raphael began to lick and nibble a path down Evan’s neck to his shoulder but then pulled back. “What is that?”
“What? I don’t hear anything,” Evan answered and turned his head for a kiss.
Raphael smiled and pressed his lips to Evan’s, licking across the seam. Evan opened to him, and he slipped his tongue in, thrusting against Evan’s. A noise sounded from outside, and they pulled apart.
“Okay, I heard that,” Evan said and pulled from Raphael’s arms. He rolled to the edge of the bed and sat up, putting his feet on the floor at the same time Raphael did on the other side of the bed. They stood, walked across the room to the window, and looked down to see what had made the noise.
They both smiled when they found Milo, Maddy, and Josh in the driveway shoveling the snow. A loud noise sounded from the end of the drive, and they spotted a plow pulling into the driveway.
“Shit. What is he doing?” Evan said in a panic and rushed for his clothes.
“What is it, love?” Raphael asked and grabbed his pants off the chair.
“I think that guy is in the wrong place. I don’t have plow service, and if he starts plowing, then he’s going to want to get paid,” Evan explained in a rush as he ran from the room, pulling his shirt on over his head.
Raphael grabbed his shirt and followed Evan out. “Slow down, mate,” he said as he grabbed Evan’s arm, stopping him at the top of the stairs. “Let him plow it. I’ll cover the cost.”
“I don’t need you to pay my bills for me.”
Evan pulled his arm from Raphael’s grasp and hurried down the stairs. He threw the front door open and stepped out onto the porch. Raphael shook his head and slowly made his way down the stairs. He could hear Evan yelling at the plow driver as he passed the open door. Raphael made his way to the kitchen and started preparing coffee.
“Hey! Stop!” Evan yelled at the truck. He wrapped his arms around himself as the cold hit him, shivers raced through him, and he began to jump from foot to foot as his bare feet started to freeze. Milo, Maddy, and Josh came walking around from the side of the house to see what all the yelling was about.
“What’s the matter, Evan?” Josh asked.
“This guy is plowing our driveway. I didn’t hire him to do it.”
The three started to chuckle. “Look closer, Evan. See who’s driving?” Maddy asked.
Evan turned back toward the pickup truck and looked at the driver. He felt his cheeks turn red when he saw Raith behind the wheel. The truck stopped, and Rory jumped out from the passenger seat. Evan thought he looked adorable in his white puffy coat and white, hairy thigh-high boots. The beta’s mate bounced his way toward Evan carrying a tray.
“Good morning. Bailey asked us to drop these off for you. The café lost power during the storm, and he had to throw out a few things, but these pastries and baked goods made it. He sent one tray to our house and one for you.”
“You didn’t have to drive them all the way over here, Rory, but thank you.”
“Jeez, man, you look like you’re about to freeze your balls off. Come on. Let’s go inside and get you warmed up. Raith will help the boys clear the drive before he heads on to the next house.”
Evan and Rory made their way into the house and closed the door behind them. Rory removed his boots, leaving them on the rubber mat beside the door. They walked down the short hall to the kitchen and found Raphael pulling six mugs from the cabinet.
“Good morning, Papa,” Rory said happily.
Raphael turned and gave Rory a bright smile. “Well, good morning, son. I see you fared well through the storm. Coffee?”
“I would kill for a cup of coffee right now,” Rory said as he took his coat off and hung it on the back of a chair.
“Then it’s a good thing I’m giving them away for free.” Raphael chuckled and poured two cups for them. He brought them to the table and then went to the fridge to get the milk. Evan got spoons and the sugar and brought them to the table. “So what do you have there?” Raphael asked Rory as he picked up his mug.
“Bailey sent a tray of goodies to the pack house and one for us,” Evan explained.
“Hmm,” Raphael answered with a nod.
Evan looked at his mate and saw that the man’s jaw was clenched as he brought his mug to his lips. “I’ll have to thank Bailey when I go home,” Raphael said tightly.
“Raphael?” Evan asked in confusion.
“Yes, Evan?”
“Are you okay?” Evan moved closer and laid his hand on his mate’s chest.
“I’m fine.” He stepped back and walked away. He placed his mug on the counter and turned toward the door.
“I’ll go out and see if the boys would like some coffee.”
“Raphael, wait,” Evan said and walked to his mate. Raphael stopped, but didn’t look at Evan. Evan touched Raphael’s arm and whispered. “What is it, mate?”
“Just trying to maneuver around when I am your mate and when I’m not,” Raphael grumbled.
He walked to the mudroom and closed the door. Evan watched as Raphael put on his coat and boots and walked out the back door with a shovel in his hand. Evan’s heart clenched. He could see the hurt in Raphael’s eyes, and he knew that he had caused it. He just didn’t know how.
“Come have some coffee, Evan. Give him a little while to work off the steam. Physical labor does wonders for their anger,” Rory said.
Evan turned and walked back to the table. “He was angry, right? I mean, he sounded angry.”
“Oh yeah. He was definitely angry. You can tell by the stiff body and the clipped answers.” Rory reached into the box he brought and pulled out a chocolate muffin.
Evan dropped into one of the chairs, placed his elbows on the table, and dropped his head in his hands. “But I don’t know what I did to make him angry. We claimed each other last night, and everything was wonderful.”
Rory squealed in delight and jumped from his chair, running around to Evan and hugging him. “Congratulations! That’s so great.”
“What’s so great?” Maddy said as he and Milo walked into the house.
“Evan and Papa claimed each other,” Rory announced happily and took his seat.
“Evan, that’s fantastic. Congratulations,” Maddy said and came to Evan, giving him a hug.
“Yeah, man that’s so great. I’m happy for you both,” Milo added and gave Evan a hug, too.
Rory stood and grabbed his coat. “I’ll be right back. I’m going to go congratulate Papa and tell Raith the good news,” Rory said and hurried out of the kitchen.
Maddy moved to the fridge and took out a chocolate milk as Milo poured himself some coffee. Maddy came back and sat beside Evan.
“For someone who just got claimed, you don’t look so happy, Evan. What’s the matter?” Milo asked as he joined them at the table.
