by Fel Fern
All that mattered was Brian, safe and warm in his arms.
“You came back for me,” Brian whispered against his ear. The Omega kissed him and then pulled back, making a face. “You taste like bloody meat.”
“Human.” A.J. grinned as Brian looked horrified. He began to sway slightly on his feet. Brian grunted, taking the brunt of his weight, and A.J. wasn’t exactly light.
“A.J.? Are you all right?” Brian asked, panicked.
“Don’t worry. He’s had a long day, and it’s taken a toll on his body. He’ll be fine with plenty of rest,” Michella said. “You’ll be staying to make sure he’s all healed up, right?”
The crafty little Gamma. A.J. wasn’t worried, though. Brian looked back at him. “Damn right I’m staying.”
With Brian’s assurance, A.J. fell unconscious.
* * * *
Three Days Later
Brian sat where he usually did, in the armchair beside A.J.’s bed. Sunlight streamed through the apartment windows. Brian made sure A.J. felt the sun on his face, even if he still hadn’t woken up after three days. Despite Doc’s reassurances A.J. would wake up, Brian wasn’t so certain.
He called Jon the moment he could, and his best friend brought some of his stuff over. The next thing Brian knew, he was living temporarily with his mate. It should have been a joyous thing, something to celebrate, but not if A.J. was lost in the realm of dreams. God. This was his fault, but if A.J. and his friends hadn’t intervened, Brian would be back behind bars.
Brian rose to his feet to pull the blanket up to A.J.’s chest. A quick check under A.J.’s shirt told Brian that A.J.’s physical injuries were healing, at least. The doorbell rang and Brian walked out of the room to answer it.
Over the past few days, he’d received numerous visitors. He’d gotten to know a few members of the Darkfall Mountain pack. Sergio Esteban’s visit scared him the most. Thankfully, Michella was with the Alpha, and ushered him out after making certain A.J. would be fine.
Looking through the peephole, Brian breathed a sigh of relief, seeing it was Michella and Doc, here for A.J.’s usual checkup. He’d encountered hostility, suspicion, and occasionally, curiosity from A.J.’s visitors, but from Michella, he’d only seen warmth. He opened the door.
“Eaten? I got breakfast,” Michella told him.
“Thanks,” Brian said with relief. He wanted to stay by A.J.’s side most of the time, in case A.J. ever woke up. Noticing Michella was limping less than usual, he asked, “How’s your leg?”
It surprised Brian at first, how such a slender woman could be the Darkfall Mountain pack Gamma, but the longer he observed her, he decided she did a good job. It didn’t hurt she was one of A.J.’s close friends.
During the times she came over, she’d happily answered his questions about A.J., or told him funny stories about his mate. In a way, A.J. and he were still strangers, but fate had brought them together. Both of them had run away from the truth, but Brian wasn’t backing away any longer.
“Better. How’s A.J.? Any progress?” she asked. They moved back into the bedroom, and Doc grumbled about them being in his way as he checked on A.J. Brian liked Doc, too, despite being all grumpy and acting like a middle-aged man, even though he was in his late twenties.
“He’s still the same.” Brian munched on his breakfast burrito gloomily.
She patted his shoulder. “He’ll wake up soon. You’ll see.”
“I’m no longer sure.”
Brian didn’t care if she heard the fear in his voice. He’d already told Jon and his parents. Whatever happened from here onward, he’d stay by A.J.’s side, even if A.J. never woke up. A.J. risked his life to save Brian. Brian couldn’t ask for a better or more loyal mate.
“He will. The stubborn wolf insisted we go after you, even though he was half-dead. A.J.’s strong and he’ll come back, knowing you’re waiting for him.”
“I hate to break the pep talk. Vitals are strong and his wounds are healing, but he’s the same,” Doc reported, packing up his equipment. “I’ll show myself out.”
“Thank you, Doc. For everything. I mean, without you, A.J. would be dead,” Brian blurted out.
Doc looked embarrassed for some reason before shuffling out.
“Look at that, Doc embarrassed,” Michella mused. “Oh, right. I didn’t just come here to see A.J. and you. I wanted to give you the good news. Do you remember Sergio?”
“How can I forget?” Brian asked warily.
The Alpha scared the shit out of him, but he knew Sergio was only looking out for one of his wolves, and Brian was essentially still an outsider.
“I take it you’ll be by A.J.’s side, no matter what happens?”
“Of course, he’s my mate. Didn’t we have this discussion before?”
“I had to ask in an official capacity.” Michella held out a hand, which Brian hesitantly shook. “Congrats, Brian. You’re officially recognized by the pack as A.J.’s mate. I mean, you have to come to a meeting and introduce yourself, but we’ll deal with all the admin stuff later. You’re welcome to stay here for as long as you like.”
Brian stared at her. He knew, as an outsider, any of the Darkfall wolves could drive him out, or issue him a challenge. “I am? I mean, thank you. You intervened on my behalf, didn’t you? Most of A.J.’s visitors wondered what the hell I was doing here.”
“You have every right to care for him. Anyway, I’m late for a meeting and Dino nags. Let me know if you need anything, or if there’s any progress.”
She rose to her feet and Brian saw her out. “Michella, thank you for everything, and I mean it. When I saw Sergio, I was terrified he’d really boot me out.”
“Sergio’s nice, once you get to know him. So are the other pack members. Everyone’s tense because of what’s been happening lately, but they’ll come around.”
“You’re just saying that because Sergio’s your brother. I can see it though, how close everyone is. Sometimes I can feel your pack bonds through A.J. I’ve never felt anything like it, even with my parents’ pack. Now you’re saying I can be part of that, too. I just need A.J. to wake up.” Brian furiously rubbed at the tears in his eyes.
“What’s that quote about patience? Patience is bitter but the fruit is sweet.”
Brian broke into an unexpected laugh. “You keep talking like that and people will start thinking of you as their wise grandmother.”
She grinned at him. “I’m glad A.J. found you, Brian. My brothers said there was no hope for him, that they’d seen broken wolves end up in the dirt, one way or another.”
“A.J.’s not broken. If he is, I am, too,” Brian insisted.
“Not broken, just needed something missing,” Michella corrected. “Believe in him, Brian.”
Brian opened the door, unsurprised to see Dino waiting outside. “How long have you been standing there eavesdropping?”
Dino grunted. The enforcer looked like a damn giant compared to Michella, and Brian had seen Raul also. Still, the three of them looked good together. “I didn’t listen in.”
Brian and Michella traded looks.
Michella sighed. “See you later, Brian.”
Brian shut the door behind him, peeking outside to see Dino talking to Michella and the Gamma absentmindedly nodding her head, occasionally brushing her arm over his. They acted like a couple, even though they weren’t mated. Brian wondered if he’d ever get to that comfortable place with A.J.
Patience had never been his virtue, but with Michella’s good news, Brian could finally relax. Retreating to the bedroom, Brian picked up his novel and started to read again, occasionally peeking at A.J. The man really did look sexy, even when asleep.
“I hope you wake up soon, baby. We have plenty of things to talk about and do. I miss you,” Brian whispered.
Chapter Ten
A.J. woke to something warm snuggled against him—no, someone. God, why did he feel like he’d slept for a hundred years? He began to stretch when he saw Brian’s slender f
orm tucked against him, hugging him like a favorite pillow. A.J. grinned.
The events of the past came crashing down on him, ending with him falling unconscious in Brian’s arms. The calendar on his wall to the right had a new series of red Xs on it, telling him he’d been asleep for four days.
Four? Had Brian been watching him all this while? He sniffed, inhaling a wonderful lungful of Brian and the scents of others. Michella and Doc’s scents were the next prominent smells, and other familiar pack members’. He had a fresh shirt and boxers on, and he wondered if Brian had a hand in taking care of him. Any other man would have left a comatose man, but not Brian. Warmth suffused his limbs and insides.
Brian had waited for him.
A.J. had been dreaming about finding his way home, back to his mate and family, and it looked like those dreams had turned into reality.
Brian stirred and A.J. shut his eyes, wanting to surprise his patient mate, but Brian smelled so good, and he was so close. A.J. decided to wait.
“Damn, I fell asleep with you again. I should stop doing that, and talking to myself, too,” Brian murmured, about to pull away.
A.J. tightened his arm around Brian. Even in the dark, he saw Brian’s eyes widen. Brian touched his face with his hands and A.J. opened his eyes to look at him.
“You’re awake.” Brian took a breath and then shook his head. Before A.J. could say anything, Brian squeezed him tighter, the strength in his lean arms surprising. A.J. prepared for his wounds to act up, but he realized they were nearly healed. “A.J., say something, please.”
“Thank you for being patient, baby,” A.J. said. Finally, he leaned in close and took Brian’s lips. Brian clutched at him, responding with equal passion.
When A.J. released him, Brian said, “It feels like I’ve been waiting for a long time.”
A.J. reached between their bodies. Brian yelped when A.J. found his cock in his trousers and gave it a squeeze. Moaning, Brian shifted a little and then glared at A.J. when he pulled his hand away.
“Later.” A.J. kissed Brian on the cheek. To A.J.’s annoyance, his stomach grumbled.
“Let’s sate that stomach first,” Brian said, pulling away and getting out of bed. “I’ll call for delivery.”
A.J. yawned, stretching. Noticing Brian’s overnight bag by his dresser, his smirk widened. Seeing what he was looking at, Brian blushed.
“It’s just temporary. I mean, Michella said the pack won’t mind if I stayed for a while.”
“Awhile? Baby, what are you saying? You have to move in with me now.”
Brian bit his lip. A.J. thought Brian would have more to say, or need more persuading, but it looked like he was wrong.
“I’ve been thinking a lot while you were sleeping.”
“Oh? Good thoughts?” A.J. asked.
“I mean, I’d like to move in here. I can find a job and we can think about our future together, finally go out on a proper date.”
Even without the lights on, A.J. could see Brian’s cheeks turning red.
“You’ve become forward. I like it. It looks like me falling into a coma helped.” A.J. grunted when Brian walked up to him and punched him.
“Don’t ever do such a crazy thing again,” Brian muttered, looking into his eyes. “A.J., I don’t know what I’ll do if I lost you after finding you.”
“I can’t guarantee that. Well, I can be more careful next time,” A.J. amended. “Food?”
He followed Brian outside, marveling at how the Omega took charge and seemed to know where everything was in his apartment. Their apartment, A.J. corrected himself. He sat on the dining table, and the enormity of Brian’s proclamation finally sunk it. Brian moving in would finally put an end to all those lonely nights of self-loathing and envy.
Brian finished ordering food on the phone. The Omega pulled out two beers from the fridge and joined him.
“Tell me what happened while I was asleep,” A.J. asked.
Brian was halfway through telling him about his encounter with Sergio when the doorbell rang.
“I’ll get it,” A.J. offered, walking to the door. He grabbed a couple of twenties from the fruit bowl near the door and paid for the food. When he came back, he noticed Brian staring at him. “Is something wrong?”
Brian rubbed at what looked suspiciously like tears. “You’re awake. I thought you never would, but Michella said you’d eventually come back to me.”
“Did I tell you about my dream?” A.J. asked.
This felt good, perfect almost, talking and having dinner with Brian, even though the clock read midnight. By the time they finished talking, it was nearly two in the morning, but neither of them were sleepy. A.J. had had too much of that, and Brian was an excited bundle of energy.
A.J. decided to take a shower to clear his head. Brian and he had just reunited, but he couldn’t stop thinking about his mate. When he came out, he found Brian sitting on the bed, watching him.
“I missed you,” Brian said shyly. The Omega dug his foot into the carpeting of his floor. A.J. didn’t miss the way Brian watched him as he walked to the drawer to pick up a shirt.
“You have no idea how much I fucking missed you, too, baby.”
“Don’t bother with a shirt. Please.” Brian’s cheeks heated up with embarrassed and, fuck, he’d never looked sweeter.
A.J. crossed his arms. “Why don’t you tell me exactly what you want, baby, and maybe I can accommodate your needs?”
* * * *
“You need this also,” Brian pointed out. Didn’t A.J. have a clue how fucking gorgeous he looked when he came out of the shower, only clad in a towel, droplets of water still clinging to his muscles?
Brian nearly had a heart attack. He’d been with A.J. nearly every hour of the day, yet he’d forgotten what a killer specimen his mate was. A.J. clearly demanded an answer, and despite his teasing tone, Brian had one ready.
Clearing his throat, Brian rose to his feet and looked into his eyes. “I want you. A.J., I need you to be inside me, to fuck me. Think of this as a new beginning for us. Remind me who I belong to—you.”
“Me,” A.J. agreed. “Let me see all of you, Brian. Show me what I’ve been missing.”
Feeling brave, Brian shoved his shyness aside. He wanted to look desirable for A.J. Embarrassment and shame had no place here. After all, A.J. had risked his life to save him. Where would Brian ever find such a good-looking and caring mate like A.J. again? Dressed in one of A.J.’s shirts and sweats, both too big for him, Brian certainly didn’t feel attractive, but a glimpse of A.J.’s hungry, golden gaze was the push he needed.
Brian peeled off his shirt and dropped his bottoms, noticing the change in A.J.’s breathing. If he peeled away that towel from around A.J.’s hips, Brian knew he’d find his mate hard. Once undressed, he looked to A.J. for further instructions. A.J. came close, tugging Brian to him. They locked lips once more and the heat and taste of A.J. flooded down Brian’s throat.
When A.J. pulled away, he said, “You taste so fucking sweet, baby.”
Brian locked his arms around A.J.’s neck like it was the most natural thing in the world. He moaned when A.J. found his dick again and began to stroke him from head to root. Brian gasped, and then A.J. found his balls and gave each a squeeze.
His mate began pelting kisses down the side of his neck, taking his time to suck and nip at one particular tender spot. It was as if A.J. already knew where he’d place his mate mark on Brian, the brand to tell the world Brian belonged to him, and Brian liked A.J.’s certainty.
A.J. pumped his cock faster, swiping his leaking pre-cum to lubricate his length. Brian moaned, thrusting his prick into A.J.’s waiting hand. Leaning close to his ear, A.J. whispered, “Take over for me.”
“What?”
A.J. guided one of Brian’s hands to his dick. Nodding, Brian obeyed, turned on when A.J. cupped his ass with his hand, prying his ass cheeks open with his fingers. He groaned when A.J. found his puckered entrance and began to tease him, all while Brian fis
ted his dick.
“That’s it, baby. I want to hear you come for me,” A.J. ordered.
Brian glided his hand up and down his member faster. A.J. pushed a finger inside him, and Brian’s ass muscles clenched around the digit. Unable to help himself, Brian began to imagine it was A.J.’s cock in his ass and not just his digit. That pushed him nearly over the edge.
“A.J., I can’t hold it back.”
“Go ahead, baby. Scream.”
A.J. took his mouth before Brian could make another sound. Curling his finger inside Brian, A.J. reached for that sensitive bundle of nerves. Brian cried out, the sound muffled. His head reeled and the pressure building inside him burst open. Brian came hard and fast, seed coating A.J.’s fingers and painting his ribs and abs with cum. When A.J. released his mouth and pulled out his finger, Brian panted.
“Let me return the favor.”
“You want my dick in your mouth, pet?” A.J. stalked to the edge of the bed, sat, and the towel around his waist finally fell away, revealing his massive erection. Brian licked his lips. Fuck, but A.J. looked magnificent, sitting like some kind of king or emperor, expecting to be pleased. Brian’s cock twitched between his thighs, and he knew he’d become hard again soon.
“Oh, yes.”
“Come and get some, pup.”
Chapter Eleven
Brian couldn’t walk to A.J. fast enough. He knelt between A.J.’s legs, heart thumping hard against his chest. When A.J. threaded his hand into his hair, Brian realized he’d missed this and wanted a thousand, a million, more intimate moments with A.J. like this. Reaching for A.J.’s cock, Brian licked the head, tongue swiping away the pre-cum.
Hearing A.J.’s groan of pleasure, Brian could have smiled if his mouth wasn’t full of A.J.’s shaft. He took his time, enjoying the salty taste of A.J. on his tongue. Not neglecting A.J.’s balls, Brian sucked on the left before moving to the right. A.J. owed him, after all, for worrying him so much.
Eventually, A.J. gave his hair a tug and nudged his prick between Brian’s lips, the message clear. Opening his mouth wide, Brian took his member in. Gagging once, Brian pulled away, but was determined to resume. He managed the second time around. Brian had nearly forgotten how massive A.J. was, but that was fine. Tonight, he planned to reacquaint himself with every inch of A.J.’s delicious body.
