Chapter Twelve

"I know you have more important things on your mind," Morgan said over the phone. "I just wanted to let you know that Sam postponed the cookout in light of what happened."

Wyatt and Alister had gotten back yesterday, but his mate insisted on seeing the town therapist right away. Luckily Dr. Kaslov fit Alister in. Wyatt was damn proud of his mate for realizing he needed help and being proactive in dealing with his trauma.

Despite wanting to help his mate, Wyatt was man enough to admit he had no idea how to give Alister what he needed.

People knew that Alister had been kidnapped, but no one knew the details except those who were there. But not even Cannon, Kijani, or Ian were aware of what Alister had suffered through.

That was no one's business but Alister's.

"Sam is important, Morgan. I know how much having his friends at his first cookout means to him."

Wyatt leaned against the hood of his car, one arm folded over his chest, his ankles crossed. He was outside Dr. Kaslov's office waiting on his mate.

"Thanks for acknowledging Sam's feelings," Morgan replied. "I gotta go since I'm on duty. Let me know if there's anything you or Alister needs."

"I will." Wyatt hung up and drew in a deep breath. He was grateful as hell that Solomon hadn't touched his mate in an intimate way. But if Alister had suffered that fate, Wyatt would still be there for him, would still love his butterfly to the depths of his soul.

It was unfortunate he couldn't kill Solomon a dozen more times. Wyatt thought he would get satisfaction at taking the man's life, but he was still left with a lot of anger because of a couple of things. One, those hellhounds. When Wyatt had gone down, he'd known Alister would be taken. With his wounds, he hadn't been able to fight. For a moment, Wyatt feared he would bleed out.

Two, and the worst, seeing his naked mate on that bed, Solomon hovering over him, his Taser raised. The image was burned into his memory. He thought he'd been too late, thought Solomon had… Wyatt rolled his shoulders and deeply exhaled as he watched three kids run past him, their parents trailing behind as the father pushed a stroller.

"Afternoon, Deputy Birch," Nathan Gromwell said.

"Afternoon, Nate, Donna." Wyatt nodded at the two of them then crouched and smiled at their youngest. "Lydia is growing like a weed." He tickled her chin filled with slobber then made a face at the adorable little human. "How old is she now?"

"Sixteen months," Donna announced proudly. "Seems like only yesterday she was born." She looked up. "Boys, get back here right now!"

The three stopped running and groaned as they made their way back to their parents.

Wyatt stood. "I don't know how you guys do it," he said. "I can't imagine taking care of one, let alone four."

"Never a dull moment," Nate replied. "It was nice talking to you."

"Enjoy your day," Wyatt said just as Alister walked out the front door of the therapy office. His mate's eyes were puffy, and his nose was red, but he smiled at the couple and waved his fingers at Lydia, who squealed in delight at him.

"I have a way with the little ladies," Alister said when Donna smiled. "They're just such cutie pies at that age."

Nate and Donna started walking again as Alister joined Wyatt. "Do I need to worry about Lydia stealing you away from me?"

"God no," Alister said. "They're cute to look at, but I draw the line at changing diapers and throw-up."

Wyatt drew his mate between his legs and placed his hands on Alister's hips. "You in the mood for Deep Dish, or would you rather go home?"

"Crying is exhausting and builds up an appetite," Alister said "It's also therapeutic. I'm famished now."

What Alister and Dr. Kaslov talked about was between them. Wyatt just wanted his mate to know he was there for him. He nuzzled Alister's neck, breathing in his intoxicating scent. "You okay?"

"I'll get there." Alister ran his hands down Wyatt's arms. "I'm not only working through what happened to me but the damage my mom and dad caused."

They stood there for a moment, Alister's head on his chest, Wyatt nuzzling his mate. It was a sunny day, perfect temperature, cars passing behind them, people out enjoying the day. Yet, Wyatt leaned there, uncaring about all of that as his mate rested against him.

A small part of Wyatt thought he'd never find Alister, that he'd lost his mate forever. It was honestly a miracle that his little panda was in his arms as a soft breeze rustled the leaves above them, casting dappled shadows on the ground. Wyatt tightened his hold on Alister, feeling the weight of the past few weeks start to lift.

"I'm glad you found me," Alister said.

Wyatt's heart swelled with emotion. "I'll always find you, butterfly. You're my mate, my other half. I'll never let you go."

Alister looked up at him, his pale blue eyes shining. "I love you."

"I love you too." He kissed Alister's forehead, eternally grateful for his feisty, stubborn, beautiful mate, who continuously found his inner strength and emerged victorious every single time.

* * * *

"You made it!" Sam hugged Alister like they hadn't seen each other in ages.

It sure as hell felt like it. Alister had just finished his fifth session with Dr. Kaslov and was feeling like his old self again.

Atlas and Kellen had shown up, as had Milo and Colt. So had Morgan's coworkers and their mates. The sheriff and the two new deputies were absent, but Alister guessed someone had to keep an eye on their quaint town. A town that had finally grown on him.

Alister had been in Deep Dish the other day with Wyatt and seen the two men who'd been discussing cows under his window when he and Paris had an apartment together.

This time Alister engaged in the conversation for shits and giggles. The two strangers—Bert and Harry—seemed happy to talk to Alister about everything cow-related.

"Bitches be looking fabulous in that outfit!" Paris snatched Alister from Sam's grip and nearly knocked him over with a fierce hug. "Your glow is back," he whispered to Alister. "I've missed hanging out with my bestie like we used to. Mates and life, right?"

"Don't you dare get emotional on me," Alister said near Paris's ear. "I'm the unstable one, remember?"

Paris pulled back, his breathtakingly blue eyes shining. "You were just finding your way in life, hon. All you needed was the right person by your side." He looked to where Wyatt was talking with Kellen. "You'll always be my bestie, but a parent has to cut the apron strings at some point and watch his baby panda spread his wings."

"You were the right person, too," Alister said. If it wasn't for Paris, there was no telling where Alister would be in life.

Paris kissed him on the cheek. "I'm so proud of you, Alister. I always knew you had moxie, sweetheart."

"Learned it from you." Alister laughed. His heart thumped a little faster when he looked across the yard and saw Wyatt watching him with a smile. His mate winked at him, making Alister feel like the most cherished person on the planet.

For the rest of the cookout, Alister hung with the mates, enjoying good friends and great food. The sun had begun to dip below the horizon when he stood, ready to head home. Sam's first cookout had been a success.

Wyatt joined him and slid his arm around Alister's waist, pressing a kiss behind his ear. "Ready to head out?"

With a nod, he wished everyone a good evening and walked toward the driveway. Alister had always loved dusk, when the world was bathed in a golden glow and everything seemed to slow down just a little bit.

"I want to go for our run," Alister said when they slipped into the car. "That night was stolen from us, and I want it back, to make it ours again by replacing the bad memories with good."

As they drove away from Morgan's, Wyatt left the town limits behind. Alister didn't say anything until his mate turned right and pulled into the parking area where the hellhounds had attacked.

His mate parked and cut the motor then turned his head to look at Alister. "If this is too much, we can go."

As Alister looked around, his pulse quickened. That night, he'd been excited to see Wyatt's cheetah, to spend time with the powerful beast. Even now, sitting in the passenger seat, his mind conjured the scents of pine needles, damp moss, and sweet floral fragrances.

The memory of those two hellhounds emerging from the darkness surfaced, as well, primal authority flowing from them, and Alister felt the terror he'd been gripped in.

"I want to do this." His gaze lowered to the ground, but thankfully Wyatt's blood was gone. Had the previous week's rain washed it away, or maybe someone had scrubbed the spot clean?

Wyatt started the car. "This is too soon. I shouldn't have brought you here. I'm sorry, Alister."

He placed a hand on his mate's arm. "Let me try to see if I can do this."

There was nothing Alister could do about replacing bad with good as far as the penthouse went. He never wanted to see that place again. But this, a place so close to home… If Alister didn't at least try, those hellhounds would win.

"You have nothing to prove, baby."

"I have everything to prove." Alister opened the door and placed his feet on the ground. He stared up at the tall trees, listened to an owl hoot, and drew in a deep breath of nature. His panda wanted to shut the car door, to get away from there, but Alister was just as determined to recapture that night as theirs.

The car cut off, and Alister heard his mate get out. Then Wyatt was in front of him. He crouched and gripped Alister's hands in his.

"Close your eyes and take a deep breath. When you exhale, let your anxiety flow out of your body."

Gripping his mate's hands, Alister did as Wyatt instructed. He repeated the steps two more times before he felt his mind and body begin to relax.

As Wyatt gently pulled him from the car, Alister rose to his feet, his eyes still closed. He soaked in the moment, and concentrated on his mate's strong hands holding his.

Wyatt's facial hair tickled Alister's cheek in a soft caress, his mate's warm breath sweeping across his skin.

"You're so amazing, butterfly. So strong," he whispered in Alister's ear. "There are moments when I look at you and I'm blown away that you're really mine. It doesn't seem real to me, and I have no idea what I did to deserve you."

Alister's eyelids fluttered open, and his breath caught as moonlight captured pure wonder in Wyatt's gray eyes.

"Let's recapture our night," Alister said.

A smile more dazzling than the millions of stars twinkling overhead spread across Wyatt's lips. They undressed, and his mate shifted first. Alister slid his hand over the cheetah's fur, feeling the strength and power contained within the sleek muscles.

The cheetah lowered himself to the ground. Alister shifted and climbed on his back, then the cheetah stood and padded toward the trees. Alister dug his claws in as the fierce cat took off, his strides long and exhilarating.

Instead of being afraid he'd fall off, Alister's red panda squealed with delight. He'd never felt so free and happy as he did in that moment.

The cheetah alternated between running and trotting. When the cat slowed enough, Alister jumped off and shifted. He fell to the grass and laughed when Wyatt rubbed his entire side over him.

His mate shifted to his human form then stretched out beside him. "I take it you had a good time?"

"The best." He cupped Wyatt's face, smiling so widely his cheeks hurt. "You gave me a night to remember."

Wyatt's seductive grin set Alister's pulse racing. "We could make it even more memorable."

Repositioning himself to hover over Alister, his mate trapped one of Alister's nipples between his teeth, teasing the sensitive nub.

"Feels good," Alister moaned, his fingernails digging into Wyatt's back.

Wyatt's teeth scraped along his chest to lap at his other nipple. Alister gasped, bucking his hips. He felt Wyatt's hard length pressed against him, and he wanted nothing more than to feel that hardness inside of him.

"Fuck," Alister breathed, his hips bucking as Wyatt's fingers grazed over his erection.

His mate slid down Alister's body, then Wyatt's mouth was on him, hot and wet and perfect.

Alister cried out, tangling his fingers in his mate's hair. He felt himself spiraling out of control, felt the pleasure building inside of him until it was all he could think about.

Spreading his legs wider, Alister planted his feet on the grass and gazed at the twinkling stars above them. This was the perfect ending to a perfect day. His breathing became shallow. His head spun. Alister groaned as Wyatt sucked and licked, the unbelievable sensations so incredible. He writhed beneath his mate as the pressure built inside of him, pushing Alister closer and closer to the edge.

"Gonna come." He tightened his fingers in his mate's hair.

Wyatt sucked harder, lashing his tongue against the sensitive tip of Alister's cock. He took Alister's cock to the root then tightened his throat muscles, keeping a tight grip as his mate pulled back up the length.

"Wyatt!" Alister jerked and twisted as his orgasm tore through him. Wyatt pulled back and stroked Alister, his hand cupped over the head.

Before he could catch his breath, Wyatt flipped Alister onto his hands and knees, using Alister's cum to lube his hole. Wyatt drove his fingers in, scissoring them as Alister thrust backward, still riding the wave of his climax.

Then Wyatt's fingers were gone, replaced by his cock. The head popped inside Alister's ass. Wyatt gripped his sides, tilted his ass upward, and slow-fucked the rest of the way inside. When he was fully seated, Wyatt paused, his fingers tensing and relaxing.

"My cock buried in your ass is the most beautiful sight."

Alister curled his fingers into the grass, mewling loudly. Then he gasped when Wyatt smacked his right cheek, leaving a delicious sting behind. "Gonna yell at me for spanking you?" he teased.

"Do it again," Alister begged.

Wyatt pistoned into his ass then slowed. He swatted Alister's left cheek, purring as he massaged the sting. "My handprint looks so fucking good on your pale skin, baby."

Already Alister was hard again, his cock throbbing between his legs. He pushed backward, trying to get Wyatt's fat cock deeper in his ass, his knees sinking a little into the ground.

His mate sucked in a deep breath. "Someone wants to get fucked pretty badly." He smacked Alister's right cheek again. "Tell me how desperate you are for this dick."

"Fuck me…please," Alister whined. "I need to feel you pounding into me."

Instead, Wyatt took his time, thrusting slowly, the nerve endings in Alister's ring of muscle tingling outward.

"I'm desperate for your dick," Alister snarled. "There, I said it. Now move faster, dammit!"

Wyatt slapped his left cheek as he chuckled, rocking slowly inside Alister. "There's my feisty mate."

Wyatt rode him hard, pounding into him relentlessly. Alister's mouth went dry as he quivered, loving every second of Wyatt's cock crashing over his prostate.

"Mine," Wyatt snarled, his fingers tightening around Alister's hips. That single, possessive word drove Alister closer to another orgasm. He belonged to this wild beast, claimed by him, and loved Wyatt to the depths of his soul.

His mate blanketed Alister's back, and then sank his canines into soft flesh. In the glow of the moonlight, Alister wailed. His second orgasm was stronger than his first, shattering him into a million pieces.

Wyatt pulled his canines free and buried his cock, shouting as his seed spilled, bathing Alister's channel.

Too boneless to move, Alister simply collapsed as he tried to catch his breath, aftershocks making him jerk slightly.

Wyatt stretched out next to him and ran his knuckles over Alister's neck and shoulder. "I love you, butterfly."

"I love you, too." Alister sighed in contentment.

For so long he'd felt adrift, trying desperately to navigate through life the best he could. He was finally on the right track, thanks to Wyatt's unwavering devotion and love.

THE END