Chapter eight

Zander

Isqueeze Ronny's hand, still completely in disbelief of what's just happened. My heart is racing inside my chest, banging against the inside of my ribs. Ronny is holding my hand. Ronny knows that we're true mates. He's accepting me. Gods, he touched my dick.

Just before we get into camp, Ronny pauses. He turns towards me with a soft smile, one that fills me with warmth. Could this really be happening? Could I truly have this?

"How are you feeling?"

"I'm okay," I tell him seriously. "There will be another wave coming soon, but for this moment I'm okay."

"And when the next wave comes, what then? What do you need?"

My cheeks heat up. I'm not a blushing virgin. Hell, I quite literally have a child already. But for some reason, Ronny makes me feel like I'm experiencing all of this for the very first time. And maybe, in a way, I am. This time around things are soft and gentle and filled with affection. It feels different in the best possible way.

"I'll probably need to excuse myself to the RV. And umm," I clear my throat, licking my lips as I find my bravery. "And I would really like it if you helped me again?"

"Yes," Ronny says right away. His hand is shaky as he brings it up to my face, gently cupping my cheek. A small part of me wants to flinch away but the bigger part of me embraces his touch. Ronny won't hurt me, not like John did. I trust him. "I'll help however you need me."

Ronny leans down, placing a soft kiss against my cheek and my face breaks out into a wide smile. I look up at him through my lashes, really wanting to feel his lips against my own again.

"Papa!"

I pull myself away reluctantly, holding out my arms as JJ runs over to us. I catch him in my arms, picking him up and hugging him tight. "Hi, baby!"

"I'm glad you're human again. I missed you."

"I missed you too, JJ. Have you met everyone? Is everyone treating you good?"

JJ gives me the toothiest grin as he starts telling me everything I've missed. "I love Lily so much, Papa. I want a baby for our family! A little brother or sister I can take care of. Lily is so cute but she has to drink blood," he tells me, wrinkling his nose. I can't help but snort with amusement, listening as he rambles and rambles.

My eyes meet Ronny's over JJ's head and I find him smiling at the two of us. A soft smile that also has a hint of longing in it. My heart clenches at the idea of Ronny longing to be part of this, to be part of our family.

Ronny and John are complete opposites and that somehow soothes my anxiety over this entire situation. Lady Fate couldn't rescue me from John, but she saw fit to bring me someone who would be soft with me, to help heal the wounds that John left.

I'm terrified, but I'm also willing to let Ronny in. And as soon as my heat is through, I plan on sitting Ronny down and explaining everything that's happened to bring me here. But for now, I'll worry about taking care of myself with his help.

We make our way back over to camp. "Hey, guys," I say, waving at everyone. "It's nice to officially meet you now that I'm in a form that can talk."

Jeff stands up, walking over to me. He holds out his hand. "I'm glad you're feeling better," he says. "I'm Jeff. And before we get into anything more I just want to say that you're welcome here with us." The seriousness of the statement hits me full force and emotions threaten to choke me. "You're safe here. And I think it goes without saying that we're a family. A weird, mismatched family of fuck ups. Sorry, JJ, don't say that word."

"I won't," he says right away, making us chuckle.

"You're a part of that now," Jeff says softly. "And I want you to know that that's okay. You're welcome here, alright?"

I clear my throat, hoping my eyes aren't actually as watery as they feel. "Okay. That sounds good."

"Hopefully it's okay for me to say that," Jeff says with a warm chuckle. "I don't want to step on any toes or put my nose where it doesn't belong. But Axel is very good at sensing these things. Plus," he says, tapping his nose. "There's no rush and no expectations. But I wanted you to know you're safe here with us."

"Thank you," I say, not knowing what else to say, unable to articulate what this means to me. "Thank you, Jeff."

He reaches out, squeezing my shoulder. The next wave of my heat is starting to make itself known. Add that with the emotions hitting me full force in the chest leaves me feeling overwhelmed. All I can do is smile back at Jeff, hoping he realizes just what his words mean to me.

"I hate to ask this since I've only just gotten back on my feet. Literally. But my heat is here. Would it be alright if JJ stays in your RV tonight?"

I can sense Ronny shifting nervously beside me and I reach out, squeezing his arm. His face is bright red and he's looking down at the ground. My poor mate. I'll do my best not to embarrass him.

"He's safe with us," Jeff says after sharing a look with his mate.

"Thank you," I say again, knowing that's the only thing I can add. The smile Jeff gives me tells me it's enough.

I nudge JJ's cheek with my nose, breathing in his familiar scent and letting the knowledge that he's safe soothe my inner omega. Heat nips up the back of my neck and my stomach clenches, letting me know the next wave of my heat is quickly approaching. I know these waves will keep coming quick and hard unless I get what my body so desperately craves, but is Ronny ready for that?

"Do you wanna help Axel with little Lily, baby?"

JJ's eyes light up and I can't help but smile so wide my cheeks hurt. He's already slotting himself into place with these people. I can't help but worry that the transition away from John will be difficult for him, but I'm happy to see him already letting himself be brought into this new litter.

He's still so young. Hopefully in the long run, he'll realize this was all for his benefit. That I ran so we'd both have the best life possible. I pray he'll see Lady Fate's hand in all this, guiding us to our new place. Our new home.

JJ gives my cheek a kiss before jumping out of my arms and running over to Axel. Axel gives me a soft smile, letting me silently know that he'll watch over my child the same way he would watch over his own.

I know I should have my guard up in place. I should be wary and worried. But I can't help but trust these people. Maybe it's my heat talking, or just maybe, I can sense Lady Fate's work in all this and trust Her decision to bring me here to these people.

Taking Ronny's hand in my own, I start to pull him towards his RV. He squeezes my hand, following along without me even needing to explain what's happening. I'm honored by the trust he has for me already.

"What's going on?" Ronny asks once we're in his RV. I breathe deeply, taking in the bright, lemony scent all around me, so concentrated here in Ronny's home on wheels. A shiver runs through me as my body warms all over. I suck in a shaky breath, trying to keep myself calm.

"Another wave of heat is hitting me," I tell him softly, stepping back so there's a small amount of space between us. "Just like before, I'll need to take care of it."

"Let me help you," Ronny says right away. "Whatever you need, Zander."

"I need--" I cut myself off, running my hands over my face.

"Say it," he whispers, "whatever it is, I wanna know."

I let out a groan of frustration. "I want your cock," I confess, my face bright red when I say it. "But I don't want to pressure you or make you feel like we have to--"

Lips pressing against my own cut off my words. A startled noise escapes me, but the noise quickly merges into a moan. Ronny kisses me without an ounce of finesse but his enthusiasm is overwhelming in the best way. I sink into the kiss, my hands going to his face, keeping him in place. I never want him to stop kissing me. But at the same time I want so much more than just this. I want everything Ronny is willing to give me.

"Zander," Ronny breathes against my lips and I shiver again. When I open my eyes, I find him staring at me, his pupils blown with lust and his look that of someone starving. Like somehow he'll only be satisfied if he gets all of me, the same way my heat is making me feel about him.

"I want you," I tell him seriously, licking my lips and chasing his taste. "I want you so badly, Ronny."

"Then you can have me. All of me."

I kiss him again, starting to walk backwards towards his bed. Even in the midst of heat, there's no way our first time is going to be on the kitchen table. No. I want to take my time with Ronny and make our first time, his first time something memorable. Something we can look back at fondly.

I want to give Ronny everything I wish my first time was.

Inside his little partitioned bedroom, I begin to pull my clothes off. "Come on," I say with a smirk. "Get naked for me, Ronny. I wanna see all of you again."

Ronny quickly begins to strip, tossing his clothes on the floor with abandonment. It's endearing, seeing how excited he is, that blush ever present on his cheeks. Once we're both naked, I step into his space again. I look up at him, taking in the excitement on his face mixed with nerves. I promise to always take care of him. I might not be big or strong or a hunter, but I can still protect him. I can protect his heart.

"Kiss me," I whisper and a moment later, he does. His body presses against my own, lighting me up from the tips of my toes to the top of my head. My heat threatens to bring me to my knees but strong hands grip my hips, keeping me upright as Ronny kisses me gently.

I've only had two heats before. My very first one which I spent all alone, and the second that led to me having JJ. That one was rough. It was all about the fucking and knotting and biting. This time is different, I can already tell just from this one, soft kiss.

After kissing Ronny one last time, I turn towards the bed but he doesn't let me climb into bed, not yet. His arms wrap around my middle and he begins peppering kisses along my shoulder. He presses a kiss against the very back of my neck and my entire body locks up without my permission. As gentle as he's being, that spot holds bad memories for me.

"Are you okay?" Ronny pulls back and he sucks in a sharp breath. That's when I know he's seen it. Bite marks that John left behind. They're not mating bites, because it was never his intention to mate with me.

"Sorry," I whisper barely loud enough to be audible.

"You have nothing to be sorry about," he says back, squeezing me tight and pulling me so my back is against his front. "Is this umm? What are they called? A mating bite?"

"No," I confess softly. "Intention is important when it comes to a mating bite. John didn't want me to be his mate. He wanted kittens to pass on his legacy and I was the means for that. That's it."

Ronny's forehead drops onto my shoulder and he takes a moment to process this information. After another moment he kisses my skin softly. "Well, he sounds like a dumbass. I know we've only just met but I already know he missed out on a wonderful thing with you, Zander. You're a good father, you're strong, you're smart, and I'm really lucky that you're here with me instead of him."

There's something in Ronny's voice that makes a shiver run down my spine. He's possessive in the tiniest way and it whispers to my inner omega, it makes me feel claimed. I love it.

"I'm yours," I say, my voice coming out shaky and unsure even to my own ears. Thankfully, Ronny knows exactly what to say.

Strong hands turn me around until we're face to face. Ronny leans down, rubbing his nose over mine before whispering against my lips, "you're mine."

For being a human, Ronny sure knows how to speak directly to my inner animal. I pull him onto the bed with me as our lips meet. As I lay myself against his pillows, we trade kisses. When our tongues meet, heat goes through me. My hips rise up off the bed, pushing our cocks against each other, adding to the anticipation and pleasure we're exchanging back and forth.

"Ronny," I gasp out, tilting my head back. Ronny's mouth moves away from my lips, trailing kisses against my jaw, then my chin, then down my throat. Gods, it feels so good and my heat is finally catching up to me, overwhelming me. I'm filled with need.

"What do you need, Zander?"

"Need you," I tell him through clenched teeth, pleasure zinging through me as he sucks a mark into my sensitive throat. My instincts are going wild at the feel of his teeth against me. They whisper mark me, claim me, mate me.

Ronny swallows thickly. "Do you need me inside you?"

A whine leaves my throat as my entire body breaks out in goosebumps. "Yes."

I reach down between us, plunging two fingers into my ass. I'm so fucking wet that they slide in with ease. After making sure I can take him, I pull my fingers out, using my natural slick to get his cock nice and wet.

"Fuck, Zander," he gasps out when I stroke his cock. "Fuck. I'm embarrassed to admit this probably won't last very long."

"That's okay," I tell him, my clean hand going to his face so he'll look me in the eyes. "I just want you in me. I want you to come inside me. Can you do that?"

He nods vigorously. "If I do something wrong, promise you'll tell me? I want this to be good for you."

"It will be," I tell him seriously. "Because it's you. You're my true mate and that alone makes this special."

Ronny smiles wide, his cheeks bright red from the compliment and to hide it, he dips down and kisses me. The kiss is perfect and does its job, distracting me until all I can think about is how fucking wet I am, how empty I am, how much I want Ronny inside me.

"Please," I whisper, needing him more than I need anything else. A moment later, Ronny readjusts, the tip of his cock touching my entrance. I suck in a sharp breath, bearing down and letting him inside me.

"Holy fuck," Ronny hisses out and I let out a startled chuckle because same. This feels so good to be connected to my true mate like this, to have him fucking me, to have his first time feel like this.

"That's so good, Ronny," I babble, closing my eyes and enjoying the feeling of being full and stretched like this. His cock is fucking perfect, hot and hard and long. Gods, I could easily grow addicted to the feeling of him inside me. "Fuck. Fuck me, Ronny. Come on. Please."

Ronny buries his face against my throat, biting down on my shoulder as his hips begin to move. He pulls out before fucking forward, over and over. He starts slow, testing the waters, seeing what feels good. Very quickly though, he finds a nice rhythm and we both sink into it. It feels so fucking good and I close my eyes, letting myself get washed away in the feeling of his mouth against my shoulder and his dick stuffed tight within my ass.

"That's perfect, Ronny," I gasp out, my body clenching around him in pleasure as my orgasm gets closer and closer. "Keep going. Right there. Yes!"

My heart beats against my ribs, my body going tense. Ronny pulls back so he can look down at me, his dark eyes filled with lust. But they're also filled with affection. "I want to make you come so bad," he says, his voice husky. "Can I touch your cock? Would that help you come?"

I nod my head. "Yes. Please, Ronny. I'm already close."

Ronny readjusts onto his knees to have a better angle to fuck me from while also give him room to stroke my cock. He loses his rhythm but after a few moments, he finds it again. There's absolutely no skill in his movements, no finesse or fancy moves. But his enthusiasm and care make up for it. He truly wants me to feel good, he wants to please me, he wants me to come. Fuck, I've never had someone treat me like this and it's overwhelming.

"I'm gonna come," I blurt out, wrapping my legs around his waist and squeezing tight. "Keep going. Fuck!"

Ronny lets out a broken noise, his hand tightening around my cock. I can feel him coming. I can feel his dick throb inside my ass. I can feel the warmth of his cum hitting my insides.

My hips rise up off the bed and that changes the angle slightly. His cock rubs against my prostate and it's enough to have my own orgasm racing through me. I moan as my cum splashes from my erection onto my belly and chest, covering myself. The smell around the room is intoxicating and I sink into it, letting it wash over me and add to the pleasure running over me like warm water.

"Fuck," I whisper, letting my body go limp under Ronny. He lets go of my cock and I whimper.

"Sorry," he whispers back, carefully pulling himself free from my ass and I whimper again. "Are you okay?"

I nod my head, giving him the tiniest smile. "I'm okay. That was fucking amazing but I want to stay full," I admit with a blush. I want something inside me still as I come down from my orgasm.

"Like umm, like a knot?"

And now we're both blushing bright red. When I nod again, Ronny readjusts us so that he's spooned up behind me. I feel him take a deep breath before I feel something touching my hole. Ronny carefully puts three fingers inside me, keeping me full exactly how I need.

"That's perfect," I tell him softly, sinking against his pillow, my entire body content. I feel like I'm floating, completely at ease. "You're perfect."

Ronny kisses my shoulder again and I can feel the way he's smiling. "I'm just happy that I was able to help. And that, you know, it was good? For you?"

"It was very good," I tell him, wanting to soothe his worries. "It was so very, very good, Ronny. Probably the best sex I've ever had."

"Just because we're true mates doesn't mean I need my ego stroked."

I turn my head so I can lock eyes with him, giving him a serious look. "Ronny." He meets my eyes. "I'm not lying. That was the best sex I've ever had. It was truly perfect."

"Oh," he breathes out, a soft look coloring his features. "Okay."

Ronny holds me as I slowly drift off to sleep. When the next wave of heat comes, I'm not even scared because I know Ronny will take care of me. For once, I embrace the feeling and even enjoy it.