Chapter 21

21

I t was nearly nine when Cav followed the trio inside Wilder's quiet home later that night. All the lights but one were off, bathing the house in a shroud of shadow. Avery and the babe were apparently already in bed. After the chaos of the day, Cav was ready to find his own—though, he sure as hell wasn't interested in sleeping right away. He snuck a peek at Wynter, not ready to part ways with his omega after a long, emotionally trying day, but doubts whispered in the back of his mind—especially after he'd lost his shit earlier in the day.

While Wynter had said he was forgiven, was he? And even if he was, he shouldn't assume Wynter wanted to share a bed again. His omega had told Wilder they would wait, give their son time to mourn the man he called father. Cav had bitten his lip during that conversation because he was done waiting. He was ready to reclaim his mate, mind, body, and soul.

All the handholding, soft touches, nearness, and heated glances over the past days—along with sleeping beside his mate the night before—were slowly driving him over the edge. He snuck another glace at Wynter but couldn't seem to catch the man's eye.

Was that a sign in itself? Was Wynter avoiding his attentions?

He hated the gray area they were floating in—the ‘will he or won't he' void where he second-guessed his every damned move, fearful he'd push too hard and lose that one last chance he'd been presented with.

"Damn, I should've called ahead and had our housekeeper prepare a room for you," Wilder murmured to Harris. "We just recently moved in, so we're not completely settled yet."

"I can find a hotel for the night if it's an imposition."

Wilder shook his head. "We can find you somewhere to sleep, but it might not be the Ritz."

"Look, I've thrown myself on your mercy and appreciate the roof over my head. It's likely more than I deserve. Give me a couch—or even a floor where I'll be out of the way—and I'll sleep just fine," Harris said.

"He can have my room. I can sleep out in the pool house," Cav said before his reason had time to stop him. He glanced at Wynter, searching his omega's gaze, but saw no sure signs of a reaction one way or the other. Refocusing on Wilder, he drew in a shaky breath. "If that's okay with you?"

Wilder frowned. "We discussed this in the car. You don't have to ask my permission to spend the night with your omega."

The conversation lulled as Cav held on to what he wanted to say but couldn't with Harris there.

"Not to interrupt, but is there a bathroom close?" Harris asked.

Cav smiled to himself. Either Harris sensed the uneasiness and wanted out—or he was oblivious. He rather hoped it was the first. It would make him respect the man more.

Wilder pointed out the way to the guest bathroom, and Harris quickly disappeared.

Once it was just the three of them, Cav caught Wilder's gaze and saw the tempestuous emotions swirling there. Of course, Wilder was strung between two points, it was to be expected, yet Cav had waited a lifetime to be with his omega. Waiting much more would tear him apart. "Yes, you did say that, but I also know what your papa said, so I don't know which direction I should be going right now. I don't want to step over the line, son."

Son.

As soon as the word was out of his mouth, Cav wished he could reel it back. Dragging his gaze to the ceiling, he inwardly cursed himself and didn't miss the hint of a gasp from Wynter at his side or the tightening of the hand in his. Cav hadn't meant it in a familial sense—only that of an older man speaking with a younger one. Hadn't he? Had the need to connect with his own flesh and blood overwhelmed his weary brain?

"That line was stepped over a long time ago, hmm? Otherwise, I wouldn't be here, right?" Wilder murmured.

His gaze flicked back to Wilder's. Had that been a ding for them having been together while Warden and Wynter had still be legally mated? Wynter's hand squeezed a bit tighter.

"I meant that as a joke," Wilder added after a few beats of silence. "I'm sorry—I'm exhausted. It's been a harrowing few days for all of us, and that didn't come out quite right."

Cav breathed a little easier, and Wynter's grasp lessened, yet he wasn't fully comforted. "Or you didn't find it as funny as you were trying to let on."

Wilder cringed ever so slightly, barely noticeable, but it was there.

"This is uncharted territory, Wilder. For both of us. I'm still a stranger to you and you to me, for the most part. I don't expect anything from you—other than a chance to get to know you if you'll let me." Cav paused. "But when it comes to your papa, I won't apologize for loving him or the time we spent together that brought you into this world. Nor will I hide the love I still have for him."

Wilder searched his face.

"I won't hide it… but I will keep my distance for a little while longer. If you need me to."

Wilder sighed. "I won't lie… seeing my papa with you feels… odd. But I also see the way you two look at one another." His focus turned to Wynter. "And I've never seen you smile like you do when you look at him and he looks at you." Wilder smiled softly. "He makes you happy. I won't be one more person on the list who's kept you from your mate. Go… be happy… and stop worrying what everyone else is going to think about it."

Cav fought a smile and lost.

Wilder's gaze flicked to his—and he seemed to fight off a small smile. "I'll get Harris situated. Get out of here, you crazy kids."

Cav struggled against a wave of emotion caused by their son's acceptance. He hadn't expected to feel it and damned sure didn't know what to do with it. "I need to grab my bag first." He cast a glance at Wynter. "Wait here a moment."

He sped up those stairs like a man half his age, the fatigue he'd had arriving at the house evaporating with the rising anticipation of where the night might lead. Cav dragged his few, paltry items back into his overnight bag, sure he was likely missing items, but it wasn't as if he was going that far and couldn't retrieve them. Wynter was waiting… and they'd both waited long enough. Once he'd gathered everything, he raced back down and noted that had Harris returned.

"The bed's already been remade while we were away, and I saw fresh towels in the bathroom, so you're all set," Cav said to Harris.

"Appreciated," Harris said, nodding. "I'd say sorry for kicking you out of your room, but something tells me it's not that great of an imposition."

"Not at all." Cav grinned at Harris while he urged his mate forward with a gentle press to the lower back. Before getting too far, he looked over one shoulder and threw out a quick, "Night."

"Goodnight," Wynter parroted.

"Goodnight," the two men said in unison.

Cav sensed Wilder and Harris's gaze on their backs as they departed, headed toward the back door. He might've felt embarrassed that they likely knew where their night would lead, but he didn't care who knew. He'd waited over thirty years for that night, and he wouldn't be shamed for wanting his omega.

As soon as they were outside in the late evening air, he glanced up at the moon. It was nearly full and would be in a matter of days, signaling another cycle of heats and ruts for alphas and their omegas. A dull ache hit him in the chest. There would be no more heats for them to share. His lungs tightened at the thought of never sharing another heat with his omega, another thing Warden Jaymes had robbed him of. Cav tightened his fingers against Wynter's, knowing he shouldn't worry about what they'd lost. Instead he needed to focus on the fact they'd finally found a chance to be together.

Forcing his wayward thoughts aside, he opened the pool house door and ushered his mate inside. Once closed and the outside world was locked away, their solitude somehow seemed louder. Perhaps that was only the pulsing of his blood growing louder in his ears.

Without a word, Wynter slowly slid his fingers from Cav's and wandered toward the bedroom, alone. It was then that he realized he'd never asked his omega's permission to be there. One night spent in that bed didn't equal an open invitation, mates or not. Doubts swirled. After his blowup earlier at Arthur's house, perhaps Wynter didn't want to spend the night with him.

After tossing his overnight bag on the floor beside it, he eyed the small couch in the tiny living area and wondered if he could curl up on it with his big body. Wynter reappeared in the doorway, his tunic opened at the front. One side slipped down his shoulder as he leaned into the frame.

"Aren't you coming to bed?"

The edges of Cav's lips curled up, and he growled low in his throat. "I wasn't sure if you wanted me to."

"Why wouldn't I?"

"I was an ass earlier today. Stepped in it. I didn't trust you when I should've given you a chance to explain."

Wynter rose to his full height and sauntered closer. "Let's not rehash that now. You apologized, and I forgave you." He rested his palm on Cav's chest and glanced up through his lashes. "We're going to make mistakes…" He rested his other palm on Cav's chest and leaned in just a fraction of an inch closer. "The important part is how we make up for them."

Cav lifted a hand and pressed it over the back of one of Wynter's, luxuriating in the silken skin there. His body tightened, ready to reclaim the man who'd been forever in his heart but lost to his touch.

"Your heart beats so fast," Wynter whispered, a coy smile playing over his lips. "Is that because of me?"

"You know it is," Cav whispered back.

His omega lowered a hand to Cav's free one at his side. Wynter lifted their joined hands to press into the middle of his chest. Narrowing his eyes, he smiled. Cav could feel the same rapid pulse under his fingertips.

"That's because of you, too."

Cav chuckled, a sudden thought coming to mind. His smile grew. "I just now realize that I'm robbing the cradle."

"Hardly," Wynter said, rolling his eyes and fighting a smile.

"I was twenty-eight when I met an omega I thought was only a few years younger. You sure didn't look nineteen."

"I was forced to lie about my age for so long that it became my reality for a long time. I'm sorry." Wynter stiffened. "I suppose I have lied to you more than once? I forgot about that one."

"Don't," Cav whispered, tightening his grip on Wynter's hand when he sensed his omega might pull away. "I wasn't baiting you with that comment. I just thought it humorous. I've got myself a younger man now."

Wynter laughed, turning his face away as if he didn't want Cav to see the joy.

"You only being nineteen makes more sense now."

One slender brow rose. "Oh? Does it?"

"It explains just how arrogant you were."

"Arrogant?" Wynter fought another smile and rapped him on the chest. "You were being a jerk. You brought out the worst in me that day."

Cav laughed. "Yes, I was being a bit of a jerk, but for good reason."

"And what reason was that?" Wynter demanded.

"I liked seeing your face get red and your eyes sparkle with irritation. Getting you mad was a turn-on, for some freaky reason I still don't understand." Cav lifted Wynter's palm to his lips where he dropped a gentle kiss. "The madder you got, the hotter you got."

"That's so wrong." Wynter whispered, smiling broadly.

Cav's breath caught in his lungs. He collected both sides of Wynter's face, fighting back a tide of emotion. "I think that right there was the first real, true smile I've seen you share with me since that heat we shared together. Definitely the first one where you haven't tried to hide your face from me." He pressed a gentle kiss on Wynter's lips. "The first time you smiled at me on the train, that's when I knew for sure that I was lost. I thought you were the most remarkable man I'd ever laid eyes on when you smiled at me that first night."

"I wish I was still that version of myself. Young and beautiful."

"I don't. Now… you're even more beautiful than you were then," Cav said, his words soft spoken. It wasn't a lie. Wynter was breathtaking. He struggled for breath when he looked at his omega, and that was all the proof he needed. The love they had for one another was never lost, just lying in wait.

Wynter's eyes shone with tears. "I will admit… I find this older, rugged version of my alpha much more alluring, as well."

"Me?" He joked, ticking Wynter's side lightly. "The old fogey?"

Wynter dodged his hand but wasn't fast enough. He giggled and writhed closer to Cav, until they were pressed close, no air between them. That nearness made it even harder to breathe. He stared down at his petite mate, their size difference suddenly glaring. His chest puffed out, the inner alpha part of him pleased beyond measure.

"My old fogey," Wynter whispered, smiling—but the smile quickly faded.

Cav drew one of Wynter's hands to his lips for another kiss. He dropped one on Wynter's pulse, just above the old scars. Wynter moaned low in his chest, his eyes narrowing and getting a sleepy look.

"I am yours. I've always been yours, since that first minute together on that train."

A tears welled on Wynter's lower lashes. "And I've always been yours. In my heart and soul— and mind—it was always you. Only you."

Cav lowered his head to capture his omega's lips. It wasn't their first kiss since reuniting, but the emotion behind it had shifted and cemented, both of them knowing where that kiss might end. There was no more denying it. No more waiting.

That night, they'd once again be joined as one.

He tasted the want and need on his omega's lips, sure Wynter was right there with him. That desire swelled over him, heightening his own and pulsing in his blood. His cock thickened, the head pressing painfully against the zipper of his jeans. Wynter's grew harder, too, jabbing into Cav's thigh as his omega slowly rutted against his leg.

Cav dragged his lips away, though he didn't want to. It was just long enough for him to urge Wynter toward the bedroom. As they walked, his mate ahead of him, he slid Wynter's tunic the rest of the way off and let it float to the floor wherever it might land. Wynter turned to face him, his body a feast for the ravenous. Cav planned to sample every inch, from the top of his omega's head to the sweet little toes at the bottom.

Yanking Wynter's bottoms and briefs down past the hips in one fluid motion, he growled with pleasure. Seeing his omega's leaking cock bobbing up and down only added to it. He reached out and caressed the length from base to tip before grasping the shaft and gently squeezing, massaging the drips of seed into the velvety flesh. Reaching around with his other hand, he slid two fingers along the cleft and into the slick wetting the rim.

Wynter's head fell back with a gasp, his red, swollen lips opening. The following whimper when he slid the tips of his fingers in dragged him closer to the edge. Slowly, he fingerfucked his mate, testing how tight Wynter gripped his fingers. His mate's body drew him in, swallowing his fingers to the bottom knuckle. He slid out and added a finger before guiding them inside once more.

His mate stiffened for a second, and he nearly stopped. Only the keen of pleasure kept him in motion. A few more thrusts of his fingers and Wynter cried out, his cock spurting untouched, wetting Cav's thigh.

"Fuck," Wynter barked, glancing down and gripping his shaft. He pumped his hand again, directing his cum away from Cav's jeans.

Cav's fingers pulsed inside him, squeezed tight. Wynter convulsed, a last bit of cum dribbling from the tip of his shaft before he melted against Cav.

"I'm sorry," Wynter said, his face in Cav's shirt.

"For what?"

"Coming on your pants. Coming in a matter of seconds—before you've even taken off your clothes. Take your pick."

Cav lowered his free hand and collected some of Wynter's cum from the tip. Lifting his hand, he captured his omega's gaze before suckling the cream from the tips. He released a groan, his cock growing harder. "There's no reason to be sorry. My sole purpose tonight is to make you come as many times as I can."

After Cav slid his fingers from his omega's entrance, Wynter mewled against him, nuzzling close.

"You're going to end up spoiling me if you do that."

"Do you have a problem with me spoiling you a little?" Cav asked, one side of his lip curling.

"Well, we both know I came to you a spoiled brat. You run the risk of making me worse," Wynter replied, his lips twisted in a mocking smile.

"It'll never happen," Cav said, wrapping his arms tightly around his mate. "I won't let it."

"Oh?" Wynter whispered. "And just how will you prevent that?"

"Discipline," Cav murmured before lightly swatting Wynter's bare ass.

As soon as the barest sting crossed his palm, he realized what he'd just said. There he went stepping into it again. He reeled back, frowning and ready to apologize. Wynter's eyes were widened, and his mouth opened to an O.

"I meant the good kind," Cav stammered. "The kind that's… all about pleasure… or the denial of it, not pai ? —"

Again, Wynter put his finger to Cav's lips. "I know you to be a kind and loving man. Your touch has never caused me pain, and I know it never will."

Cav leaned closer. "The only thing I've ever wanted was to make you happy."

Tears glistened in Wynter's eyes. "Every minute I spend with you… is utter joy."

Capturing Wynter's lips, he feasted on his mate, tasting that happiness and joy. He realized he was still addicted to the taste of Wynter. He needed to relearn all the curves and hollows, revere every inch, sampling as he went. Cav trailed kisses down his omega's graceful neck and fought the urge to make his mark there on that tender skin. A mark so all would know the omega was finally his.

By the time Cav reached the shoulder, he could fight the desire no more. He sank his teeth in, not enough to hurt—but enough to leave his brand behind, if only temporarily.

Wynter gasped, his back arching. "Harder…"

"You just said I'd never hurt you," Cav murmured against his omega's ear. He paused a second to nibble on the lobe. "And you were right."

Wynter trembled all over. "And if I want it to hurt… just a little? You would deny me?"

Cav groaned inwardly, dropping kisses on the faint teeth marks on Wynter's smooth shoulder. He lowered to his knees, his face nearly on level with one engorged nipple. Cav drew it into his mouth and suckled, laving at the peak. Wynter clung to him, panting and desperate. The second he closed his jaw around the flesh, Wynter mewled, breathing roughly.

"Yessss … bite me… Hard!"

Cav sank his teeth in again, a little firmer than the last but not enough to cause real pain. Likely not as rough as his omega wanted, yet Wynter's legs trembled against his knees. He feared his mate might collapse there on the spot. He released the nipple with a pop before rising and lifting Wynter into his arms. "Let's get you to bed."

Wynter lifted a hand to the nipple Cav had just freed and traced the marks of his teeth. "We're not finished, are we?"

"Not even close," Cav replied, lowering Wynter to the top of the mattress. He knelt there himself and worked his way between his omega's thighs. "I have a full inspection to complete, and we've only just begun."

Wynter grinned. "A full inspection?"

"As you said, you've changed. I need to log all those changes so I know where all the best spots are," Cav murmured, finally realizing he still hadn't undressed and his omega was bare. He dragged his shirt over his head and dropped it, uncaring where it landed. After kicking off his shoes, he peeled the rest of his clothing from his body, never breaking his stare with Wynter.

When he was done, he stood and allowed his omega to get a good look. While his travels, swimming, hiking, and adventures helped keep him fit, he wasn't immune to the passage of time, either. His muscles weren't as defined as they'd been at twenty-eight. There were white and gray hairs mixed in with the dusting on his chest. His six-pack was missing a couple of cans—well, maybe more than a couple. He hadn't felt self-conscious until that moment, with his omega inspecting every inch of his naked body. He clutched the last sock he'd pulled off, unsure what to do with his hands.

Say something.

Good or bad, tell me what's going through your mind, Wynter.

Wynter rose to his knees and crawled closer to the edge where Cav stood. He pressed both palms to Cav's chest again and looked up.

"Exactly the way I remember," Wynter whispered. "My alpha… the sexiest man who ever lived."

Cav released the breath he'd pent up, waiting for the assessment from his omega. He smiled and stole another kiss. And another. Until they collapsed onto the bed, a jumble of arms and legs as their tongues and lips clashed. Wynter rolled Cav and climbed on top, a small, victorious smile on his omega's lips that went straight to his dick.

Wynter pointed out the already fading bite mark on one nipple and then the other nipple without. "This one seems to be missing something."

Cav chuckled. "Feed it to me and I can rectify that, my omega."

Wynter trembled. "As you wish… my alpha."

Cav lifted his head as Wynter leaned closer and sacrificed the unblemished tip. He sucked the soft flesh into his mouth, toying it with his tongue while his omega bucked and rutted against him and his aching shaft. When he closed his jaw and his teeth grazed the skin, Wynter moaned with delight. He sank his teeth in a little harder, searching for his omega's limits. The minute Wynter winced, he let go, licking and kissed the abraded flesh.

"More," Wynter whispered.

Cav flipped them, pinning his omega underneath. "Oh, I plan to leave your body filled with my marks tonight."

Wynter writhed, smiling wickedly. "A winning plan."

A good man followed through on his promises. Cav considered himself a good man, and he wouldn't let his omega down. Starting from the top, he leisurely worked his way to the bottom—kissing and sucking those precious toes—and all the way back up. Wynter's body was littered with bite and nibble marks, some darker and redder than others. He paused and kissed a few of the angrier ones as he rose.

Once done, he slid higher and recaptured Wynter's lips. His omega squirmed under him, whimpering with pleasure. "You're not done, are you?"

Cav frowned. "I said from the top to the bottom. I think I've fulfilled that promise, haven't I?"

"Only on one side, though," Wynter murmured before pressing on Cav's chest with both palms. "Give me room."

Cav moved to his haunches, a grin stretching his face wide.

Wynter rolled to his belly before lifting his sweet, perfectly round ass into the air. "You missed this whole side, Alpha."

Cav chuckled, but the smile faded at what he saw next. Wynter spread his cheeks, baring his slickened entrance while gripping the soft flesh tight in his fingers. Cav growled, cock throbbing with the need to be one with his mate. He gasped for air, his omega's body calling him closer.

"More nibbles," Wynter pleaded.

Cav looked to that sweet, slick-coated hole and back to his mate's face watching him over one shoulder. A promise was a promise.

Lunging, he hovered over Wynter's back, one fist stabbed into the mattress beside his omega's head, the other clutching the waterfall of silver-blond hair to move it out of his way. Cav started at the nape, earning more mewls and whimpers from his omega, and drifted to the shoulder again. More marks were left in his second journey south, most on the upper swells of those beautiful ass cheeks. He pressed Wynter's hands out of his way and took over control of their squeezing from his mate. He clutched the soft globes before leaning in and leaving a few more bite marks on the swells.

"Cavanaugh…" Wynter ground his hips against the mattress. "I neeeeed…"

Cav bit the inside of his cheek to fight off the rising growl. Wynter's need wrapped around him, calling to his possessive side—the animal part within that needed to stake his claim. His control was tattered, as it was, and hearing the lust in his omega's voice threatened to snap that hold.

"I was ready to fulfil that need, but you demanded I leave no inch unnibbled, my love."

"Cavanaugh…" Wynter glanced over his shoulder. "Please."

Cav smiled, forcing down the alpha aggression, the demand to take. "A part of me would love to submit and give in to you, but I fear I can't. I finish the jobs I start."

"You're just being cruel…" Wynter scowled.

"Only just a little." He swatted Wynter's ass again. "But it will heighten the pleasure if I heighten the need."

"Torment. You can end it," Wynter pleaded. "I give you permission to stop."

"Oh, no," Cav said, spreading Wynter's cheeks apart again. He eyed the puckering flesh there, lips ready for a taste. "I won't give in that easy."

He lowered into a comfortable position, ready to give his full focus to his favorite part of Wynter. He lapped across the hole, reveling in the sweet slick coating it, before he circled the rim. He shoved his face between the cleft and licked from sac to under the puckered hole and back again.

"Cavanaugh!"

Cav paused a moment, nibbling on his mate's sac. "Yes, my love."

"I beg you," Wynter sobbed. "I can't?—"

Cav heard it and felt it in the trembling of his omega's body. Overwhelmed, Wynter's need had been driven too far. His omega was freefalling and needed an anchor. Cav rolled his omega over and slid his hand behind one knee, lifting as he moved into place. He tried to capture Wynter's stare, but his mate's pupils were blown, and those eyes focused on nothing.

He angled his cock down, the tip nudging the entrance. "Is this where you want me, baby?"

Wynter pulled his leg higher, giving Cav more access. "Give it to me…"

Cav thrust a half an inch, barely entering, before pausing. He sucked his teeth, the clutch of his omega's tight, hot hole almost more than he could handle so close to losing it. Once he managed a bit of sanity, he sank in deeper… and deeper still… hissing with delight… until he was fully planted deep within his mate. He lingered there, pausing any motion, and simply reveled in the joining of their bodies.

He glanced down at Wynter, glad to see a bit of lucidity had returned to his omega's eyes. "Am I hurting you?"

"No," Wynter gasped, his pupils so wide his eyes almost seemed black. "But I ache…"

Cav slid out a couple of inches before burying himself once more. He closed his eyes to the pleasure of it, so good it bordered on pain. Prying his eyes open, he held his mate's gaze as he moved in and out, their bodies coming together over and over again. The headboard pounded against the wall, the sound heightening the faster their tempo, the volume only slightly louder than the whimpers, moans, and cries streaming from Wynter's lips.

Soon, a fine sheen of sweat coated them both, the smack of slapping skin coming a second before wood on drywall. Pausing deep, Cav rolled them, allowing Wynter to straddle him. His mate took little time to set a new rhythm, grinding against Cav while riding his cock. With his long, pale blond tresses sliding down his pale skin, Wynter all but glowed in the soft light of the bedside lamp. Once again, his mind drew the connection, to the moment thirty years before when Wynter had ridden him as the wheels clicked over the tracks.

In that moment, no time had passed. They were once again those two young lovers, bound together through time. Cav loved his mate with equal intensity, perhaps more knowing all they'd suffered to get back to that moment. His cock jerked, his balls tightening as the pleasure coiled inside every muscle, every tendon.

Cav roared as he came, digging his fingertips into Wynter's hips as he lifted his own. He plunged deeper, his knot stretching his omega wider before the hole closed around it. The first shot of seed erupted, painting Wynter's insides. Wynter's hole tightened around him, a scream tearing from his omega's lips.

Cum blasted his abdomen and he reached down to milk every drop of cum from Wynter's shaft, just as his omega's greedy hole did him. A sigh fell from Wynter's lips before he collapsed on top of Cav's chest, his hair cascaded around them.

Cav gasped for air, they both did—locked together once more. He lay there in the aftermath, a sense of rightness seeping into his skin. When he could breathe better, he reached for a lock of Wynter's silken hair and toyed with it over his fingertips, delighting in the sensation.

Wynter lifted his face, chin between Cav's pecs, a timid smile hinting on his lips. But Cav also saw worry—which he'd not leave to linger. He brushed some of the hair back from Wynter's face and smiled softly. "Are you okay?"

His omega smiled and nodded, not a single word expressed.

Though, he didn't need words. He saw the love in his omega's eyes.

"I wasn't too rough on you?"

"No." Wynter snickered. "I'm more worried about Wilder's wall—I wonder if we woke the neighbors?"

"Given that our son is our neighbor, I'd rather not imagine that."

Wynter cringed, pointing over his head. "Stop! I meant the ones back there."

Cav chuckled. Perhaps in the morning he might feel shame, but in that moment, it was the furthest thing from his mind. "Was it as good as before?"

"Better," Wynter said.

"Oh? I know I can't keep up with a twenty-eight-year-old. A thirty-eight, maybe, but not the old me."

Wynter rose on his elbows. "That past version of us was living a fantasy. They thought they had forever, but they were so very wrong. It's no longer a fantasy for this version. We finally have a future to look forward to."

Cav's lips curled upward. He traced the plains of Wynter's cheek and moved on to his omega's soft lips. "Took us long enough," his whispered.

"We have a lot of time to make up for."

"We do… I figure we've got about thirty more years left to make up for the past thirty," Cav said.

"Will you still want me when I'm eighty?" Wynter asked, grinning.

"I'll want you when you're a hundred. A hundred-ten. A hundred-twenty…"

"I don't think I want to live that long."

Cav wrapped his arms around Wynter. "Few get the chance. But as long as we're still mostly coherent, can hold one another's hands, and can kiss each other good night, I'll take another seventy years with you."

"That would put you over a hundred-and -thirty," Wynter said. "Old man."

"Not impossible. Especially if I have the love of a good omega," Cav murmured.

"You have it," Wynter whispered. "Always."

Cav stole a kiss, his body stirring slightly. His knot lessened, a groan coming from both of them. Wynter rose on shaky arms and carefully pulled off before Cav rolled them both to their sides.

A telephone rang from somewhere in the bedroom.

Wynter whined. "Who the hell is calling this late?"

"It's only ten," Cav said. "Now who's the old man?"

Wynter scoffed, grinning. He began to roll toward the phone, but Cav stopped him.

"I'll get it," he murmured, crawling over Wynter to get to the other side. After a little digging, he found the phone hidden under some of their clothes. Wilder's name was emblazoned on the front. He thrust the phone Wynter's way. "Wilder."

Wynter frowned, snatching it. He hit the screen and lifted it to his ear. "What's wrong? Is everyone okay? Is Emory okay?"

Cav heard a muffled sound but couldn't hear what Wilder said. He crawled back in the bed and lay on his side, elevated on one elbow as he watched his omega's body language for clues.

Wynter visibly relaxed, but then grew stiff again.

Cav frowned, worry swirling within.

"Okay. I'll meet you in the kitchen at eight. Goodnight." Wynter lowered the phone before tossing it to the nightstand.

"What's going on?" Cav asked.

"Warden's attorney called the house this afternoon. He wants to meet with us at nine-thirty tomorrow morning for the reading of the will."

Cav rolled his eyes a bit. He didn't want Wynter taking one cent of that blood money from a monster of a man who could've cared less. "Don't go."

"I'm named, so it seems I have to."

"You don't," Cav murmured. "You can assign Wilder to be your representative." He cringed. He didn't want Wilder there, either, if truth be told, but he had no right to demand either of them not go.

"I want to go. It means this process is almost over." He wrapped his arms around himself and rubbed his biceps as if he were chilled. "Plus, it'll give me a chance to see Vaughn. I've texted him several times today to check in, and he's not responded. While you were packing, I called—and got voicemail. I fear he might not be okay." Wynter sighed. "Of course he's not okay, but… really not okay."

"Does he have a past of self-harm?"

"No. Unless you count partying too hard self-harm."

Cav lifted a brow. "Depends on how hard."

"I know he'll come to the reading, and I can see how bad things might be."

Cav sighed. He didn't like it, but he understood. "Okay. If you must. But I want you to know, you don't need to take his money. I'll take care of you."

An odd expression crossed Wynter's face.

"What?" Cav asked. "Do you not think me capable of keeping you in the lap of luxury? I might not have Jaymes money, but I've saved more than I've spent."

"It's not that at all. I don't need luxury. I just need you."

Cav saw the earnestness in Wynter's eyes. "Then what is it? What did I say that gave you that look?"

"I went from my parents to Warden… both controlling everything. I had no choice. No say. And no agency." He paused, searching Cav's face. "Now you say you'll take care of me."

A tiny spark of indignation hit him in the gut. "You think I'd treat you the way they did?"

"No!" Wynter quickly replied. "Of course not… yet you'd still ultimately be the one in control. It would be your money. Your this. Your that."

"What's mine is yours," Cav said.

"I want something of my own."

"A fortune I can't give you," Cav muttered.

"I don't care about a fortune. Just give me enough to survive the rest of my days and that's all I need." Wynter scoffed. "There's always a chance it might be nothing. For all I know, I'll be handed five renos. I wouldn't put it past Warden to get one last cut in."

Cav glared.

Wynter lifted his chin defiantly.

"It's blood money," Cav snarled.

"That's right. It is. My blood. My tears. My pain. That man put me through hell and back—and I think I deserve at least a little recompense for all I've suffered." Wynter frowned. "Logically, I know that you would give me everything I asked for, Cav—but I simply don't want to be beholden to one more man, even if he's the best one I've ever known."

Cav wanted to debate more, but the last sentence cut his argument short. "You need no safety net with me." Cav held Wynter's gaze, his temper cooling. "But if it gives you peace to have it, so be it."

Wynter caressed the side of his face, grinning softly. "This is why I love you."

"Because I caved to you?"

"Because you love me… and you give me space to stretch instead of making me shrink."

Cav gripped Wynter's wrist and turned his face to plant a kiss on the warm palm that had been stroking his cheek. "I endeavor to never make you shrink."

Wynter slid deeper into the bed and lay facing him. He leaned closer for a kiss. And another. And another. Not long after, they rattled the headboard one more time before falling asleep in one another's arms.