Chapter Thirteen

As soon as Kellen parked behind the house, he eased his sleeping mate from the passenger seat. Colt got out and went straight to the back door, opening it so Kellen could carry Atlas inside.

He took Atlas straight up the spiral staircase and then entered his room, placing his mate on their bed.

Tonight was… Wow. Kellen hadn't expected an explosion at the dinner table but was glad it happened. It seemed that was all that was needed for Monica to get her head out of her ass.

Honestly, Kellen had listened to the entire conversation in the kitchen, just in case shit went south and he needed to pull his mate out of there.

He hadn't expected Atlas's mom to take responsibility for her actions. Then again, Kellen's view of mothers had been tainted so badly that he didn't think fondly of any of them.

After she pulled Colt into the dining room to finish their dinner, things had quieted down. Not even the shock of finding out that Jacob knew about his world topped the fact that Atlas loved him.

Eighty years ago, Kellen had sworn to never let anyone else have his heart, yet Atlas had stolen it right out from under his nose. Kellen was in love again, and fuck if that didn't frighten him. Atlas had power over him, power to destroy Kellen if he wanted to.

He just had to trust that Atlas never would.

Kellen slipped his mate's shoes off then tried to pull the blanket over him, but Atlas grabbed Kellen's wrist as he opened his eyes. "I'm nervous about telling you that I love you, even if my dad shouted it to the room."

Taking a seat on the side of the bed, Kellen glanced at his mate's chest as butterflies filled his stomach. He ran his tongue over his bottom lip, his heart racing. "I've spent so long pushing people away that it's hard for me to express myself, Atlas."

His mate sat up. "I don't expect you to say it in return. I know about your past and how hard it is for you to trust anyone. I just want you to know my dad was right. I am in love with you, Kellen."

"What if I want to say it, Atlas?" Kellen couldn't look his mate in the eye. Not yet. He was terrified of feeling that way again, even if Atlas's declaration brought Kellen to his knees.

He thought he would spend the rest of his life alone, going from one hookup to the next, even though he'd desperately craved for something more than a warm body and meaningless sex.

"Then you say it when you're ready." Atlas pulled his shirt over his head. "Tonight I'll show you just how much I love you."

Atlas pulled at Kellen's wrist, and Kellen climbed onto the bed, unable to resist his mate. He poised his body over Atlas's, cupping his mate's jaw as he took possession of his soft lips.

His mate glided his hands over Kellen's biceps, trailing them down his chest and stopping at his waistband. Atlas unfastened Kellen's jeans and pushed them downward before circling his slim, warm hand around Kellen's hard cock.

Pleasure radiated through him as Atlas slowly moved his hand up and down, swirling his tongue around Kellen's before sucking on it. A low growl rumbled in Kellen's chest.

In the past, sex had just been a way to relieve stress and fulfill natural urges. Now Kellen was no longer simply looking for a way to get off. Sex had meaning for him because Atlas had changed him in so many ways.

The guy owned him. Body, heart, and soul.

Kellen pulled away, stripped out of his clothes, and slid Atlas's pants and underwear off. "You're so amazing."

Atlas reached for him, and Kellen went, devouring Atlas's lips as he grabbed the lube from under the pillow. He wet his fingers and then glided them between his mate's cheeks. Atlas spread his legs, clinging to Kellen as their kiss deepened, and Kellen breached his entrance.

Arching his back, Atlas groaned, his eyelids fluttering closed. Kellen was mesmerized as he stretched his mate, desperate to bury himself deep.

"I'm ready." Atlas bit his bottom lip as he opened his eyes, looking at Kellen with need with those beautiful gray irises. "Need you inside of me. Love you. Want you so badly."

Kellen pulled his fingers free, lubed his cock, then positioned himself over Atlas. His mate cupped his legs behind the knees and pulled them back, gifting Kellen with the most erotic view.

His canines descended as Kellen thrust into his mate's warm, tight heat. He placed his hands on either side of Atlas's head, staring down at the man who meant everything to him.

Atlas wrapped his legs around Kellen's waist. "Don't hold anything back."

He didn't plan to.

Kellen punched his hips forward, drowning in sensations, reveling in how tightly Atlas's ass gripped his cock. Kellen dropped to his forearms, thrusting faster and deeper as his mate threw his head back.

"God, yes!" Atlas shouted as his nails dug into Kellen's flesh, making his wolf snarl and draw closer to the surface. "I need harder, Kellen."

Shoving to his knees, Kellen gripped Atlas's hips and drove his mate's ass down onto his cock as he pistoned forward. Their bodies collided, the noise filling the room, their heavy breaths blending together as Kellen fucked his mate to within an inch of his life.

Then he struck, sinking his canines into Atlas's shoulder. His mate cried out, cum pulsing from his cock and making their chest slick. The scent drove Kellen over the edge. He pulled his canines free and shouted Atlas's name, his orgasm shattering him.

"And here I thought we were taking this slow." Kellen wiped his forearm over his sweaty forehead while he rocked in and out of Atlas's ass.

"Thought so too." Atlas's chest rose and fell as he struggled with each breath. "My body had its own agenda."

Smiling, Kellen lapped at Atlas's shoulder, sealing the wound. "I'm glad your body and my cock conspired against us."

Atlas chuckled.

Just as Kellen eased out of Atlas, he heard something crash downstairs. A loud howl erupted, telling him that Colt was in trouble.

"Stay here," he said to Atlas as he jumped from the bed and snatched his underwear off the floor. "Don't leave this room."

"What was that?" Atlas asked with wide eyes. "Did I just hear a howl?"

Kellen gave his mate a quick kiss before he rushed out the door, closing it behind him. He took two seconds to slide his underwear on before he was rushing down the stairs.

No sooner had Kellen cleared them than he was thrown against the wall. He crashed into the drywall before he hit the floor. The scent of vampire filled his lungs as the sound of fighting reached his ears.

Colt was in the kitchen fighting the other vampire.

Kellen lunged to his feet and ducked, avoiding the fist flying at him. He drove his own fist upward, letting his claws slide free before he slammed them into the son of a bitch's gut.

Blood coated his hand as Kellen spun them sideways, using their momentum to collide with the wall. He pinned the bloodsucker, getting in his face. "You signed your own death warrant coming to my house. Now I'm about to execute it."

The vampire hissed, trying to shove Kellen off of him. That wasn't going to happen with them so close to the stairs, Atlas in the room right above them. He couldn't allow the vampire to get free and use his inhuman sped to get to the second floor.

Kellen snarled deeply as he shoved his claws repeatedly before he grabbed the guy's spine. With brute force, Kellen wrenched his hand back, ripping it out.

The body dropped, and Kellen spun, racing to the kitchen. Colt was on his knees, his hand covering his bleeding gut. "I'm sorry. He got the upper hand. I can't stop my body from shifting, Kellen. Get to your mate!"

Kellen was sure no one had gotten past him, but he'd been so busy taking out the vampire who'd attacked him that he couldn't be certain.

He shot from the kitchen, taking the spiral stairs two at a time. He plowed into his bedroom door then stopped dead in his tracks.

"I see I'm the last one standing." The vampire from Wild Tiger parking lot held Atlas around the throat. "If you try to charge me, I'll snap the human's neck before you even reach me."

Atlas was still on the bed, on his knees, and not dangling from the vampire's grip like he had been the last time. That didn't bring Kellen any consolation.

The bastard still had his hands on Atlas.

A deep, menacing growl ripped from his throat. This was the same scene at Morgan's house when that hyena had his claws at Sam's throat. Morgan had been helpless to do anything for fear that Sam would die before he reached his mate.

Only no one was going to show up behind the vampire and break every bone in his hand to release his grip.

"Is this pathetic human your mate?" The vampire narrowed his eyes. "I hope he is so you can feel the same loss as I did when you killed my brother."

"Which bloodsucker would that be?" Kellen asked. "The one in the demon realm, in that parking lot, or the one downstairs? If you're seeking revenge, then it should be brother for brother. Mine is in the kitchen."

Not that Kellen would let the vampire get past him.

The guy lowered his arm as he hissed. That was when Kellen saw Atlas reaching for something just under the edge of the blanket.

"I'll kill everyone you've ever cared about," the vampire snarled. "Starting with your pet!"

Atlas jerked his arm upward, impaling the vampire under his chin with a piece of broken nightstand. Atlas scrambled from the bed as Kellen shot forward, driving the wood deeper.

"The only thing being killed tonight is you." He plunged his hand into the guy's chest and ripped out his heart.

Dropping the still-beating muscle, Kellen spun and yanked Atlas into his arms. "Are you okay?"

"Get that bloody hand off of me!" Atlas shoved Kellen's arm away. "I'm pretty damn far from okay! I just killed a guy." His mate sobbed. "I just…I just…"

Kellen sat on the floor and cradled his mate to him, keeping his bloodstained hand away from Atlas. "You didn't kill him, sweetheart."

"You saw what I did." Atlas curled up in Kellen's arms as he cried. "I drove that makeshift stake—" He slammed his eyes closed. "What did I do?"

"Atlas, look at me." He gripped his mate's face, forcing Atlas to meet his gaze. "The stake didn't even fully penetrate his jaw. The only thing you did was piss him off."

"Don't," Atlas whimpered. "Don't lie to me, Kellen. I couldn't take it if you were just like everyone else."

Kellen would do anything to take away Atlas's anguish, but he wouldn't lie to him just to bring him comfort. He brushed strands of black hair from Atlas's forehead. "Baby, do you remember what happened to your hand when you punched Colt?"

"Colt!" Atlas tried to jump up, but Kellen kept a tight hold on him.

"He's in his wolf form healing in the kitchen. I promise he's safe and going to be okay."

Atlas collapsed back onto Kellen's lap.

"Do you remember?"

"I messed up my hand because his jaw is made of concrete," Atlas replied.

Kellen chuckled. "It might have felt like it, but it's not. Though I do wonder about his head sometimes."

"But your brother is a shifter. I killed a vampire." Atlas gazed up at him with those shimmering gray eyes.

"They're both not human, hon. You are. And you're one hundred pounds soaking wet." Kellen wasn't trying to diminish his mate. He was trying to drive home a point so Atlas would stop thinking he'd taken a life, because he hadn't.

"I didn't kill him?"

"No." Kellen shook his head. "I came in behind you and drove your stake through his skull and tore out his heart. That's how he died, and I would do it again because no one fucks with my mate."

Kellen rocked his mate when Atlas curled into him.

"I don't want to be in the same room as him," Atlas said. "Tell me this is finally over."

"It's over." Kellen kissed the top of his head. "I'm going to take you into the bathroom."

He shoved to his feet, keeping Atlas against him, and strode to the bathroom, closing the door behind him. Kellen set his mate on the closed toilet seat so he could wash the blood off his hand.

"I want you to stay in here until I dispose of the bodies. You don't need to look at them."

"I'll keep my eyes covered, but I want to check on your brother. I have to make sure he's okay."

Kellen dried his hands as he eyed his mate. "I think you're smitten with him."

"We have each other, Kellen. Who does he have?" Atlas asked. "I know you have trust issues, but please don't think for a second I'm attracted to Colt. I just care about him like I would any family member."

Kellen hunkered in front of Atlas. "I was trying to use levity to lighten the mood, Atlas. Poor choice on my part. The thought of you desiring my brother has never entered my mind."

Atlas's caring and compassion knew no bounds. He was also the bravest guy Kellen knew. His mate had slugged a fully grown wolf shifter, fought to get to Kellen in the parking lot of his job, drove a stake through a vampire's jaw, and had survived the betrayal of someone he thought was his best friend.

And he'd put up with all of Kellen's shit.

Most importantly, Atlas gave his love freely to a guy who felt so damn broken inside. Kellen wasn't going to heal overnight, but he was going to fight to become the man his mate deserved.

If Atlas could be brave despite his fears, Kellen could do no less.

He tucked his fingers under his mate's chin and looked him right in the eyes. "I love you."

Atlas's lips parted in surprise. "What made you say it?"

"A little human who agreed to go home with a sorry sack like me and showed me what courage really looks like." He kissed his mate tenderly. "I'm also told he has a family of geese and baby ducklings to look after."

Atlas grinned. "You'll have to introduce me to him one day."

Kellen laughed, hugging Atlas to him. "All you have to do is look in the mirror and you'll meet the man who stole my heart."

* * * *

Atlas's jaw dropped, and his breath caught as Kellen strode into the kitchen, dressed to the nines in a sleek black suit, crisp white shirt, and a pale yellow silk tie that made his green eyes stand out. The black dress shoes he wore gleamed under the light, adding to his overall suave appearance.

Atlas couldn't tear his eyes away from his mate, who exuded elegance and poise, even with his large size. Kellen was already gorgeous to him, but in that moment, Atlas was overcome with a desire to throw his mate to the floor and worship every inch of his perfect body.

"What do you think?" Kellen held out his arms.

"I think every guy there will wish they could look as good as you." He ran his hand up Kellen's chest, but his mate smacked it away.

"You can take your liberties after the wedding. I have to at least show up looking wrinkle-free before you wreck me."

Atlas licked his lips. "I'm going to have to beat the women off you."

With a growl, Kellen raked his gaze over Atlas. "Look who's talking. I'm going to have a hard-on the entire time you're on my arm, sexy."

There was no way Atlas looked better in his suit than Kellen. Even the guy's butt looked delicious in his slacks.

"Stop looking like you're going to consume me."

Atlas pinched Kellen's butt. "Every inch of you."

"No groping each other," Colt said as he walked into the room. "I feel like I'm suffocating in this getup."

Jennifer had insisted that Atlas was changed to a plus-two so Colt could join them.

"Are you joking? You look very handsome," Atlas said as Kellen closed the distance and straightened his brother's tie. He wore the same colors as them, except his tie was coral.

Standing next to each other, the Sager brothers were heartthrobs. Then Atlas frowned. "Get those fucking boots off your feet and put on the shoes Kellen loaned you!"

"They made me slip everywhere," Colt argued. "Isn't it enough I put this funeral director suit on?"

Kellen wasn't the only work in progress. "Get the shoes while I force those boots off Colt's feet."

With a roll of his eyes, Kellen walked away. "We're going to be late."

They were way ahead of schedule. Atlas wasn't sure how he dealt with them without losing his mind.

"I appreciate the invite, but this isn't my style, Atlas." Colt looked as if he was actually pouting.

"Stop whining," Atlas said. "You look amazing. You're going to the wedding, and afterward, you can eat as much free food as you want at the reception."

"Will any hot twinks be there?" Colt wiggled his brows.

The guy was hopeless, but he was family. "I have no idea. Just as long as you're not caught in a closet getting naked with anyone, feel free to find a hookup." He pointed a finger at Colt. "Sex after the reception, not during."

"Who's having sex?" Kellen returned with the shoes.

"You, if you keep looking that good in your suit." Atlas smirked. "My sister might end up resenting you for outshining the groom."

Kellen adjusted his cufflinks. "No one can outshine a man on his wedding day."

Atlas begged to differ. His mate was going to put every man to shame when he arrived.

Colt begrudgingly took the shoes and sat in one of the kitchen chairs. He removed his boots, tossed them aside, and then made a production out of trying to get the dress shoes on. "They don't fit."

"Stop manhandling them," Kellen snarled. "Those are made of calfskin."

"I'm sorry if I'm supposed to be impressed," Colt growled. "They're shiny black shoes with Dior stamped on them."

"Embossed, not stamped," Kellen argued. "They weren't made with loud machinery like your boots."

"You're being very pretentious right now," Colt snarled.

Kellen narrowed his eyes. "You cribbed that word from Jacob."

"Stop!" Atlas held out his arms as if Kellen and Colt were going to physically fight again. "I'm getting a goddamn migraine! Kellen, stop being pretentious. Colt, stop whining like a baby. If you two don't act civil toward each other, you're going to be watching the wedding from your time-out corners. Do I make myself clear?"

"I'm not a child," Kellen growled.

"Then stop acting like you two are five years old." Atlas rubbed his temples. "Colt, get your freaking shoes on. Kellen, just stand there and not act like a fashion diva for ten minutes."

"Yes, Father," Colt grunted as he slid them on.

"You're so dramatic when you don't want to do something," Atlas said. "Don't you dare kick these off before the night is over or tug at your clothes. And for fuck's sake, stop bitching about going to a wedding. It's not like you're the one getting married."

"Thank god," Colt grumbled. "You do realize I'm older than you."

Atlas pointed a finger at the back door. "Get your GQ asses out to the car."

He was going to need an entire bottle of wine to deal with them. Atlas only had a sister, but he was pretty sure brothers weren't supposed to bicker so much, especially when they were grown men.

"I'm sorry." Kellen kissed Atlas's knuckles. "I promise to be on my best behavior…when we get to the church."

"Are you sure sedatives don't work on shifters?" Atlas asked. "I could slip some into both your drinks and have a peaceful night."

Kellen chuckled. "He'll be fine once we get there. He's still nervous about being around your family." Kellen's smile faded. "He hasn't had a lot of opportunities to enjoy life."

"So why are you being so cranky?" Atlas was irritated but not enough to pull his hand from Kellen's.

His mate shrugged. "Maybe I'm a little nervous too."

Atlas was going to make it his mission to see that Kellen and Colt had a great time today, even if it killed them.

"Don't forget we're meeting Morgan and Sam at the ice cream hut tomorrow." Atlas grabbed his wallet off the counter and tucked it into his back pocket.

"Haven't forgotten." When Kellen kissed him, Atlas thought it would be a quick peck. Not even close. He swept his tongue into Atlas's mouth, growling softly.

"Can you two do that another time?" Colt said when he came back inside. "My stomach is already in knots about today. I don't need to gag on my way there from seeing my brother make out in front of me."

Atlas smiled against Kellen's lips as Colt walked out again. "I love having your tongue down my throat, gorgeous."

Kellen pulled away and swatted Atlas's ass. "Say that to me later tonight in bed when I have your naked body trapped under me."

"Let me drive Lucille to the church and I'll say whatever you want me to."

Kellen grinned as he shook his head. "Nice try, babe."

Thirty minutes later, they arrived at the church. Kellen took Atlas's hand in his as they entered. The bride's side of the aisle held about thirty guests while Craig's side was teeming with relatives.

As they made their way toward the front pew, aunts, uncles, and cousins Atlas hadn't seen in years smiled widely as they waved at him. Aunt Michelle stood and tugged on Atlas's sleeve.

"Make sure you introduce me to your hot boyfriend at the reception. Is that his brother behind you two? Is he single?" She blushed before she sat back down.

Atlas frowned then noticed his mother walking toward him, looking radiant in her cream-colored strapless dress. Her hair had been done to perfection, and Atlas could see why his dad had fallen for her.

"You three have stolen everyone's breath." She hugged Atlas. "So many heads are turned in your direction right now." She squeezed Kellen's hand. "I just might run away with you."

Atlas's jaw dropped. Who was this woman, and what had she done with his mom?

"I'm deeply flattered, but your son beat you to it," Kellen replied with a charming smile then kissed Atlas's knuckles.

She grabbed Colt's hand. "You're sitting with me, young man. My Jacob looks dashing, but I want two gorgeous men on my arm. Those shoes look amazing on you."

Colt gave Atlas and Kellen a shit-eating grin as he was pulled away.

"I think we stepped into the wrong church," Atlas muttered. "Either that or my family was replaced by cheerful doppelgangers."

"It's a wedding." Kellen placed his hand on the small of Atlas's back. "That tends to put everyone in a good mood. Not to dampen yours, but why didn't Craig ask you to be a groomsman since you're going to be his brother-in-law?"

"He's afraid I'll smear my gayness all over his buddies."

"That… sounds so dirty," Kellen replied. "Can you smear your gayness all over me later tonight?"

"We can do all the smearing you want once this is over."

Atlas pulled his mate to the front pew and sat next to his mom who was fussing over Colt. "Stop fidgeting. Jacob, tell Colt he looks dapper in his suit."

Atlas's dad looked as if he would rather eat his own tie. "Leave the boy alone, Monica. He already knows he can turn heads." Then he stood. "I need to get to the back since my daughter can't walk herself down the aisle, so behave, you two, while I'm gone."

Colt was older than Atlas's parents combined. He also looked as if he was thoroughly enjoying the attention. Atlas was glad, since his own mother had been horrific. It was about time Colt had a mother-figure dote on him, and not because she wanted to manipulate him. Wait. Had Atlas's dad just treated Colt like a wayward son?

"You two look great together." His dad patted Kellen's arm as he passed by.

Kellen looked toward the floor but not before Atlas saw his mate's eyes shimmer. He placed his hand on Kellen's knee as a show of support. "I love you."

"Love you, too." Kellen cleared his throat and whispered, "I think Monica wants to adopt Colt."

Atlas smiled. "You're just as wonderful."

"Babe, think about that for a second." Kellen rested his arm over the back of the pew, making Atlas feel cocooned. He had to resist the urge to curl his feet under him and sink into his mate's side with a dreamy sigh.

"Scratch what I just said." Atlas gagged when he finally understood.

"Exactly." Kellen grazed his soft lips against the shell of Atlas's ear, a faint growl rumbling in his throat. "I'm not giving up your tight little ass for anything, mate."

Atlas swallowed hard and whispered, "My pants are too thin to conceal a boner, so please stop torturing me until we get home."

"Home. Mmm. I like the sound of that." Kellen eased back as his green eyes filled with longing.

Atlas thought his mate was referring to the sex they would have later that night, but it dawned on him that he was talking about his house being their home. "Are you asking me to move in with you?"

"Never thought you would ask." Kellen's grin was irresistibly devastating.

Atlas loved his mate's wicked sense of humor. It was blossoming more and more with each passing day. "I might say yes if you actually asked me."

"You're serious?" Kellen sat forward, scanning Atlas's face as if looking for some punchline.

Despite Kellen's brutal past, moments like this served as a reminder to Atlas of the innocence that still remained inside his mate. "Dead serious, wolf man."

Just then the organ began to play. Everyone stood and turned, but Kellen was still watching Atlas. "Will you move in with me?"

"Yes!" Atlas threw his arms around his mate's shoulders.

"Did he just ask you to marry him?" Atlas's mom squeaked.

Oh fuck. A few heads had turned his way. "No, Mom. Kellen just asked if he could give me a free oil change."

Colt grinned. "Make sure you set a date for that."

"Shut it," Atlas gritted out. "If you make this worse, I swear I'll cockblock any attempts you make at finding a twink today."

"Shush," his mom admonished. "Your sister is making her entrance, and all eyes should be on her."

Colt leaned behind her and mouthed, "You could try, little brother."

"I'll kill him later for you," Kellen whispered, curling an arm around him.

The organ music swelled as their father's arm looped around Jennifer's. Atlas's breath caught at his sister's radiance in her white satin gown, her hair swept up in an elegant bun. The crystal tiara glistened, a perfect complement to her glowing complexion. The way Craig gazed at his bride, it was as though he was witnessing a fairy-tale princess gliding toward him with grace and beauty.

Their mom cried into her handkerchief, and Colt placed an arm around her delicate shoulders, telling her how enchanting her daughter appeared on this special day.

Kellen gazed at Atlas with so much love in his eyes, causing tears to well up in Atlas's own. His life now held boundless possibilities, all thanks to the man proudly standing at his side.

THE END