Chapter 24

24

W ynter cuddled close to Cav in the helicopter, almost vibrating with excitement. Any day he could get out from behind the province walls was a good thing, but it was killing him not to know where. He'd been battering poor Cav for two hours, trying to ferret out the surprise location. It couldn't be too far, as the trip would only last a few hours, so he searched the mental map in his head—which wasn't all that great.

"Atlantis?"

"I already said no to that one," Cavanaugh mumbled in the headset's earpiece.

"Maybe you're lying to me… and I just wanted to gauge your reaction."

Cavanaugh chuckled. "If you give it twenty more minutes, you'll find out where we're headed."

"I don't want to wait that long," Wynter said, pouting. "Give me a hint?"

"Hmmm…" Cavanaugh murmured. "Wood."

Wynter frowned. "Like wood -wood, or are we talking cock?"

Cavanaugh laughed. "Actually, both."

Wynter's frown deepened. "That's not much for me to go on."

"You didn't say it needed to be an easy clue," Cavanaugh replied, a wide grin on his handsome face.

"Then give me an easy clue."

"Nope. You get one clue, and you've already gotten it," Cavanaugh said.

"Cruel," Wynter snarled. He fought a smile. "How dare you."

Cavanaugh wrapped an arm around Wynter's shoulders. "You know, we could be putting this time to better use." He leaned down to claim a brief kiss before lifting his head. "Might take your mind off our destination."

"Maybe," Wynter crooned. He leaned up, offering his lips to his mate.

Cavanaugh took no time accepting that offer. He captured Wynter's mouth, a starving man. Wynter was left breathless—and rock hard in a very inappropriate location. When he gathered his wits, he noticed they were landing.

Leaning forward, he searched the helipad. "Blacks burg?"

"I know we were just here and there are some mixed emotions tangled around this province, but there's something I really want to show you," Cavanaugh said. "Humor me? If you hate it, we'll go straight back to Alexandria."

Wynter took a steadying breath. He trusted Cavanaugh. His alpha offered an outstretched hand, and he took it. Climbing down from the helicopter, he held tight and hoped the reason they were there was worth it. Cavanaugh led him to a beat-up pickup truck parked in the nearby lot.

"This reminds me of Trout's old truck."

"It is Trout's old truck," Cavanaugh replied as he opened the passenger door. "Hop in."

Wynter slid inside, sadness swelling. Cavanaugh jumped in behind the wheel and brought the engine to life. "Still purrs like a kitten."

"I'm sorry your friend died trying to save me," Wynter said. "I hate that one more person suffered due to my papa's madness."

"If it makes you feel any better," Cavanaugh said. "Trout had cancer. He'd been fighting it for years. A couple of months before I met you, he told me—and that he only had a short time left."

"No… that doesn't make me feel better," Wynter said. "We robbed him of his last days."

"He died trying to be a hero, because that was the kind of man he was," Cavanaugh said. "Look at it that way."

Wynter sighed. "I'll try."

"I didn't bring you here to remind you of the pain," Cavanaugh said. He shook his head. "Maybe I've made a bad call."

"I'm sorry. Take me wherever it is you want to take me," Wynter said. "It's special to you, so I want to see it. I'm sure I'll love it… because I love you."

Cavanaugh held his gaze a moment before silently moving the gearshift and turning to focus on the road. They drove the opposite direction of Arthur's home, toward the industrial center. Not long after that, they arrived at the wall.

"We're going outside the gates?" Wynter asked, hesitant.

"I thought you hated walls?" Cavanaugh asked as he presented paperwork to the Guard at the gate.

"I do, yet I know what they're there for."

"Where are you headed?" the Guardsman asked.

"Protected Zone," Cavanaugh murmured.

Wynter frowned. The only thing he knew of in the protected zone was the cabin—but it was gone.

The guardsman eyed the paperwork, and each of them, before handing it back. "Be safe out there. We've had a couple of reports of Wildlings near the borderlands."

"We're staying far from the border," Cavanaugh replied.

"Good call," the beta said before tapping the driver's door with a knuckle. "Have a good one."

The gate lifted, and once it was high enough, Cavanaugh pulled Trout's old pickup through. He soon turned on the mountain road, the same one Wynter had ridden on as he'd been taken away from Cavanaugh. "Where are we going?"

"You'll see," Cavanaugh murmured.

Higher and higher they traveled, until his alpha pulled into the lane for the cabin. Wynter blanched. He wasn't sure he could face the burned-out husk where they'd shared that heat together. Only, there was no burned-out husk. The cabin stood just as it had before. Cavanaugh pulled up before it and shut off the engine.

"You rebuilt it?"

"I did."

Wynter met Cavanaugh's shining eyes.

"It was the one place we'd been together—and happy," Cavanaugh said. "I couldn't stand seeing it charred and left to rot. So, I tore it down. I reused any of the wood that wasn't completely destroyed, so that the original DNA of the house was present in some way. Also added a couple of upgrades—like central heat for those days I don't feel like chopping wood."

Wynter chuckled, but inside, his heart swelled with love.

"I know there was pain here, too, but I wanted to celebrate the love we shared, however brief it was. I wanted to be able to come back and remember you in my arms, smiling up at me, and I guess a small part of me imagined that I'd one day be able to bring you here and show you this place."

"And now you have," Wynter whispered, scooting closer on the bench seat. He placed a palm on Cavanaugh's chest and felt the rapid pace under it.

Cavanaugh was terrified he'd be upset.

"I love it," Wynter murmured. "And I love you for restoring it. You erased what they did and made it whole again. Just like you've made me whole again."

"I don't know if I have that much power over you," Cavanaugh said with a smirk.

"You do. Having this new chance with you—I feel young again. I feel… safe. I feel loved." He leaned in close to his alpha. "I feel excited about our future together."

"I'm glad to hear that," Cavanaugh said. He reached into the pocket of his jeans and lifted his hips before withdrawing a small box. "This is for you."

Wynter's insides went to jelly. He sensed what lay inside. With a shaking hand, he reached for it and struggled to crack it open.

Cavanaugh lifted it from his hands and wedged it apart. "Damned spring." He laid it on his palm and showed Wynter.

Inside, a diamond encrusted band glittered in the sunlight streaming inside the truck. "It's beautiful."

"It's tradition," Cavanaugh murmured. "For an alpha to present his omega with a gift when wooing him."

"Wooing me? I think we're long past that stage."

"Well, we're too old for our parents to sit down and negotiate a mating contract, sure, but we can still enjoy the rest of it."

Wynter froze. His heart leapt to his throat.

Cavanaugh caressed the side of his face. "Oh, don't tell me I've scared you off, talking about legally mating my omega."

"I…" Wynter smiled, his lower lip wobbling some. "I'm not scared. Only… shocked."

"Shocked? You're mine. I'm yours. Remember?"

Wynter fought tears. "I used to dream of this moment, and those dreams nearly destroyed me, knowing I couldn't have you. I forced myself to stop dreaming too many years ago to count because I thought I'd destroyed any chance of you ever loving me."

"My love for you is practically indestructible. You can dream all you want now," Cavanaugh said. "And we can make as many of them come true as humanly possible."

Wynter leaned in and captured Cavanaugh's mouth. He poured his love into his alpha, hoping Cavanaugh understood just how much he adored the man. When they parted, Wynter reached out and caressed his alpha's stubbled cheek. "You are the dream come true."

Cavanaugh stole another kiss. He lifted his head, his eyes sleepy and love-filled. "I want us to be mated. Officially. To stand in front of our son and his family, my brothers and yours… and for them to see how madly I love my omega. And how much he loves me." Cavanaugh searched his face. "But only if it's also what you want, too."

"Of course I do," Wynter said.

"I've looked back on that time we spent here and realized how pushy I'd been. I wanted to save you from an unhappy life, but I never asked. I told you not to go back to him. I told you that you were staying with me. I told you how life was going to be. I didn't see it then. I only saw that you were in pain, and I wanted to save you from it—and I didn't see I was as bad as the rest of them."

"No… you were not. You're the only man who's ever shown me an ounce of love and respect. You wanted me safe, and sure, maybe you were a little overzealous, but you only wanted me happy. Never compare yourself to those monsters. You're nothing like them."

"Even so… I don't want you to wear this ring if you're not ready. I can close it up and shove it back in my pocket and wait until you are. And if you never are, that's okay, too—as long as you promise to stay in my life this time, I'll be fine."

Wynter caressed his cheek, sensing Cavanaugh sought a guarantee of some kind. Proof Wynter wouldn't disappear again. Wynter had already taken too much. If that was something he could give, he damned well would. "You're a good man, Wilder Cavanaugh. You deserved so much better than you got. I'll never think I'm worthy of your love… but if you're willing to make me yours officially, then I can't imagine wanting anything more."

Cavanaugh's smile glittered brighter than the diamonds on the ring. He popped it from the box and slid it on Wynter's outstretched finger.

It was a perfect fit. Just as Cavanaugh was to him. "It's beautiful."

"Just like it's wearer," Cavanaugh said. He leaned in for another kiss.

And another.

"Can we move this inside?" Cavanaugh asked. "I suddenly feel the urge to get my omega naked and in bed."

Wynter nodded. "Let's go."

Cav had waited eons to show his omega the rebuilt cabin, yet as he drew Wynter through he no longer had the patience to stop and smell the roses. He cast a look over his shoulder, momentarily reveling in the awed expression on his mate's face, but that was the limit of his patience. Cav needed to once again share his mate in his bed, in the same spot they'd first made whispered promises in the dark. Promises they were finally fulfilling.

"It's beautiful," Wynter murmured, wonder in his voice, as Cav quickly peeled clothing from his body.

"Ummhmm," Cav mumbled, focused on one thing and one thing only. Having Wynter under him.

Before he finished, Wynter lifted his chin with one fingertip. "It's beautiful. Almost exactly as it was before."

Cav held Wynter's gaze, nodding. The need was consuming, so much that there was no spare energy left for more than one thing.

"Cav?" Wynter asked, frowning.

"I need you," Cav growled. "Now." He lifted a trembling hand to Wynter's cheek. "Please."

Wynter's expression softened, and his irises widened. Cav inhaled, the sudden scent of slick filling the room only adding to the urgency within. He had to claim his mate, or he might lose his mind then and there.

Once he removed the last of his omega's clothing, he gently pushed the man back on the bed. Kicking off his shoes, he tugged at his belt, towering over his naked omega lying in wait, watching his every move. Wynter reached down, stroking his thickening cock, hips rising to meet the languid motions of his hand. A pearl of fluid rose to the tip, glistening in the low light coming from the bathroom. He dragged his shirt over his head and knelt before removing his pants, needing to taste his mate's need as much as he needed air in his lungs.

Wynter whined as he lapped it up, and then writhed as he laved his tongue over the glans and down the velvet length. Sucking the head between his lips, he blindly tore at the closure on his jeans and ripped the zipper down, freeing his own cock as he shoved them and his boxers past his hips. He stroked both their cocks, one in each hand, while sucking the tip of Wynter's.

His own shaft pulsed and throbbed in his palm, the need to claim screaming in his veins—but he needed to know his mate knew pleasure before he turned greedy. Moving the hand on Wynter's shaft to the small sac below, he massaged it as he drew the rest of the length to the back of his throat, suckling the way he knew Wynter loved.

His omega keened, writhing on the bed. The second he released his own cock and pressed a couple of fingers against the slick-filled entrance, Wynter pleaded for more. All too eager to comply, he stretched his omega's hole, readying his mate for what came next.

Wynter sank his fingers into Cav's hair, holding tight. His breaths came in short gasps between sobs and moans. He knew his mate was close to the edge. Cav would've loved to draw it out and leave his love there on that edge for hours—but that would have to come another time. He wanted his cock deep inside his omega, but not before he ripped screams from the man's throat.

And he did just that seconds later. Wynter's back bowed as he orgasmed, a rush of cream filling Cav's mouth. Cav drained him dry, lapping up every drop of his omega's pleasure before rising to his feet.

Wynter's long, platinum blond hair fanned out over the bed, almost giving an angelic appearance. His body shimmered with a fine coating of sweat, adding to the mystical beauty. How he'd gotten so godsdamned lucky to be bound to the most gorgeous creature on earth, he'd never know—but he'd gone through hell to get ahold of his angel, that was for sure.

Their torment was finally over, and it was time to rejoice in one another until the end of their days. Once he'd kicked out of his pants and boxers and tore his socks from his feet, Cav knelt on the mattress, and it dipped under his weight. He dragged Wynter closer to the center, giving him space to lift those lithe legs and bare the slick-coated entrance his body craved.

Cav held Wynter's gaze, pausing to take stock before he lost himself in his omega.

"Come on, alpha. Show me what you've got," Wynter whispered.

Cav angled the head down and sank into Wynter's warm heat. Slick eased the passage, allowing him to slide deep on the first thrust. On the second, he was knot deep inside his mate and could die a happy man. "When I die, I want it to be right here," Cav mumbled before kissing the inside of Wynter's calf.

"No talk of dying," Wynter pled. "In my mind, you're immortal."

If only. He could spend a million years loving his omega.

"A god," Wynter added, grinning wickedly. "Show me how it feels to be loved by a god."

Cavanaugh chuckled before giving it all he had. He withdrew from that delicious heat before sliding back in. On they went, Wynter lifting to meet his every thrust. Their moans and the scent of their lovemaking filled the bedroom, swirling around them in a cacophony of the senses.

Midway through, he twisted slightly to the side, allowing one of Wynter's long legs down while holding the other aloft. He pounded into Wynter, not quite from behind, not quite from the side. Wynter turned his head, capturing Cav's lips, as they slammed against one another, seeking the sublime.

The sound of skin slapping skin filled his ears, the resonate tempo building matched only by the racing of his heart. Wynter pulled his lips away, their gazes meeting. His omega's pupils were blown, eyes almost black with lust. Wynter's body trembled, thighs shaking, and he cried out again, screaming his pleasure without shame. The quivering of his muscles wrapped tight around Cav's cock shook the last bits of control.

Cav roared as he came, sinking deeper as his knot inflated and locked them as one. Wynter whimpered again, the sound pleasing his inner predator. The pulses of seed shot from him, filling his omega's womb.

"Oh Cav," Wynter murmured before finding his lips again, but the kiss was short lived as they both gasped for air.

Cav curled himself around his omega, Wynter's back to his front, their bodies spooned together. Lethargically, he caressed his omega's silky skin, stopping between the pecs to press and feel the beating of his mate's heart. It beat in time with his own, slowed at the same pace, as if they were synced as one.

Once both beat slow and steady, he lowered his hand and wrapped his arm around Wynter's belly. His knot deflated, yet he didn't rush to pull away. They were joined in spirit and would soon be joined under the eyes of the law, as they should've been years before.

"You were in a rush tonight," Wynter murmured, a hint of a smile on his face. "I barely had time to look at the thing you brought me here to look at."

"Did you not enjoy it?" Cav asked, feigning indignance.

"I think you know the answer to that, my alpha."

Cav smiled to himself and tugged Wynter closer. "We have plenty of time for you to inspect the cabin."

"And we didn't have plenty of time to fuck?"

"Nope," Cav said, grinning. He pressed his nose against Wynter's hair and drew in the clean, fresh scent. "We didn't."

Wynter carefully rose off Cav's cock before rolling to the opposite side and facing him. "I'm not complaining… that was hot… but I don't know if I've ever seen you that needy before."

"Is it wrong to need my omega?"

"You misunderstand me," Wynter whispered. "I want to know what I did to get you that hot and bothered—so I know what to do again… and again…" His smile widened. "And again."

"You said yes," Cav murmured thickly.

Wynter's expression softened. He lifted a hand and brushed Cav's hair back. "I will always say yes to you. My body is yours."

Cav closed his eyes, the words edging on pain, yet filled with pleasure. When he reopened them, he burned the image of Wynter into his mind, the soft smile and well-fucked glow exactly what he wanted to remember to the end of their days.

Wynter leaned in for a kiss before scurrying off the bed. Cav captured his wrist.

"Where do you think you're going?"

"I have to pee."

Cav growled, unwilling to let go, but he did. He laid back against the pillow and listened to the quiet sounds in the bathroom. Wynter reappeared, a washcloth in hand, and he moved to the side of the bed and swiped the warm cloth over Cav's cock.

"Isn't my job to take care of you?" Cav asked.

"It's both our jobs to take care of one another," Wynter corrected, a brow rising.

When he was done, he tossed the washcloth through the doorway into the bathroom and eyed the bed.

"While I'd love to be lazy and lie in bed all evening, I really would like to take a look around," Wynter said.

"Be my guest," Cav said, smiling proudly.

Wynter ambled out of their bedroom and into the main living space. Cav climbed from the bed and paused at the door, leaning on the frame and watching. He spied the space again, one he'd seen a million times, but he tried to see if from Wynter's POV.

He'd changed little from the original footprint—though he had added a few feet on either end to give him a little more space. Instead of the kitchenette he'd had, he had a full kitchen. His bedroom and the bath were larger, and he'd converted the second bedroom into his writing room slash library as he'd always planned to do.

The biggest change was the updated fixtures and wiring. The cabin had originally been built as a hunting lodge for a family, not meant to live in full-time. He'd not needed much when he'd bought it, mostly just a landing point and a spot to write between travels, not that those needs had changed. He'd made most of the upgrades with hope in the back of his mind, that he'd one day bring Wynter there. Cav had wanted his omega to be more comfortable and hopefully he'd managed that.

"Is this the original fireplace?" Wynter asked as he caressed one of the smooth, gray river rocks.

"For the most part," Cav said. "I had to replace a few stones but the bulk of it is the same you sat in front of to warm up."

Cav got lost in time for a few seconds, remembering walking back from his speedy shower and quick change to find Wynter kneeling there, the flames casting their golden glow over his gorgeous face and hair. He'd looked like an angel then, too, and his heart had clenched. It was then that he'd known he was fully and truly lost.

"This is new," Wynter murmured, caressing the edge of a big screen TV that hung over the fireplace.

"Don't judge me for my small pleasures. I love movies. Always have."

"I look forward to curling up on the couch beside you with a roaring fire and whatever movie you want to watch," Wynter said. He scrunched his nose. "Though I would prefer nothing gory, please."

"You don't like scary ones, hmm?"

"Scary is fine. I like a good thriller. I just don't need to see blood and gore." Wynter paused, shivering.

"Are you cold? I can start that fire."

"I'm fine," Wynter murmured. He tilted his head. "Although, I am surprised it's as warm in here considering there's no fire and it's chill outside.

"Another upgrade," Cav said, smiling. "Electric heat for the days I don't feel like going out to chop wood."

Wynter chuckled. "Smart." He moved to the island bar that separated the kitchen from the living room. "I remember this was smaller? Though, I didn't really go into the kitchen at all that week."

"It is. I added a bit of space." He smiled. "I'm shocked you noticed."

Wynter met his gaze. "The week I spent with you here is burned inside my memory banks. I've relived it time and time again."

"Now we get to make new memories here."

Wynter stalked closer, smiling. He wrapped his arms around Cav's waist and leaned in. "I can't wait."

Cav stole a kiss and stared down into Wynter's upturned face. His heart clenched at the satisfied smile he found there. "You haven't seen it all. I don't want to toss you in bed and ravish you once more and have you complain I didn't allow you a full tour."

Wynter clicked his tongue. "I wasn't complaining. I just wanted to be a little nosy and see how it compared to the version I remembered."

Cav swatted Wynter's ass gently. "Go on… finish comparing."

Wynter scowled at him. The upturned corners of his lips ruined the effect. He padded barefoot toward the back of the house, where he found the writing room. Cav followed behind, grinning to himself.

The light flicked on, and Wynter gasped. "Dear Gods, Cav… did a bomb blow up in here?"

Cav chuckled and peeked past Wynter. To call his writing room disordered was an understatement. The rest of the house was neat and orderly… allowing him to relax. There was no relaxing in his writing room. "It's better that this place holds the chaos versus my head."

"How can you find anything?"

"I have a system."

Wynter looked over his shoulder, one brow rising.

"I do," Cav argued.

"It looks to me like you need more space."

Cav sighed. "I do. I enlarged this room when I rebuilt it, but it's still not large enough. Between my reference library, my pleasure reading, copies of my own books, and then all of the many pieces of paper—notes, scribbles, ideas, and what have you—I need better organization. Only I don't know how to do that in here."

"I can't imagine this helps your productivity."

Cav shook his head. "It doesn't."

"Is there room to add an addition to the house?"

Cav fought a smile. "Already trying to rearrange my life?"

"Not hardly. You just said this wasn't working for you, so we need options." Wynter frowned and turned to fully face Cav. "You know, we'll both need to rearrange a little to make room for one another."

"I was only kidding," Cav said, ending his battle with the smile. "I know living together will bring new challenges."

"I've never truly shared my life with anyone before."

"That's not exactly true," Cav murmured.

"He had his rooms in the wing opposite mine. We lived as apart as two mated people could possibly live. He did his thing, and I did mine—unless we were forced to pretend we were actually a couple."

Cav knew he shouldn't have found pleasure in that. It spoke of the loneliness and solitude his mate had clearly experienced—yet knowing Wynter hadn't shared much of himself with Warden gratified him immensely.

"Well, I suppose I could look into an addition for a new office." He leaned on the doorframe. "Maybe this could become your… closet."

Wynter eyeballed him. "Closet?"

"Is it not large enough?" Cav asked, grinning wickedly.

"Come on," Wynter said. "I don't need all this. Especially out here in the mountains."

"You forget. I've seen how you pack for a week-long trip where you'd not need much clothing, Mr. Four Suitcases."

Wynter's smile fell. "I was pretending I was running away."

"In some ways you did."

The smile returned, but perhaps not as bright as before. "I suppose so." He glanced around the office again. "I do have a lot of clothes. A lot of shoes. A lot of jewelry. But it was all bought to punish Warden. At first, I could've cared less about any of it… shopping was simply something to do to get out of the house on the days I was capable of getting out of the house and a way to damage his bank account."

Wynter's gaze drifted, unseeing anything. "But it was also a rush. Buying something made me feel better. It barely mattered what it was. When I was low, I could go on a shopping spree, and it would give me a high that I desperately needed. After Warden lost it once and found several bags with all the tags still on them, which he returned, I began wearing every piece to prevent him from returning anything else. That started giving me a rush, too. A smaller one, but a rush all the same. When I looked in the mirror and saw how nice I looked—or slid into something silky and delicious—it helped chase away the blues a little bit. I'd have a fashion show with Jamie on occasion, and we'd play dress-up, changing into a million outfits. Adding hats and furs and bangles." Wynter smiled to himself. "I miss those days. His smile was infectious." Wynter chuckled. "And his belly laugh? It was the best thing I'd ever heard."

Cav drew Wynter closer, hugging his omega close. "I'm sorry he's gone."

"Me, too."

Cav wasn't sure how long they stood there, but he didn't let go until Wynter pulled away. "Sorry. I know I keep lowering the tone. You brought me here to have fun… not deal with my drama."

"It's not drama. You lost a child, and you grieve him."

Wynter nodded, dabbing at the corner of one eye. He inhaled deep and released it long and slow. "So what else is there to see on this tour?"

"Wellll…" Cav said. "Not all that much. The mudroom out back looks very much the same. There is a deck out there that looks over the valley below, though you never went out there last time… and it was more a stone slab than a deck when you were here last."

"It was also snowing its ass off when I was here last," Wynter said. He walked back into the living room and dragged a blanket folded over the back of the couch. Shaking it out, he wrapped it around his naked body. "Let's see this view."

"You're not going to see a whole lot in the dark."

"Then show me the stars," Wynter whispered.

Cav grabbed another blanket and tugged it around him, as well, before taking Wynter's hand and leading him through the mudroom and onto the hardwood deck. He stopped at the wooden swing on one end and sat, drawing Wynter to sit with him.

"It's gorgeous out here," Wynter murmured. "And so peaceful."

Cav leaned over and pressed a kiss to his omega's head. "Exactly why I chose it."

Comfortable silence fell between them. Only the crickets and frogs had something to say. Cav pushed with his heel and gently rocked them as Wynter cuddled close.

"Are you cold?"

"No. You keep me warm."

Cav smiled.

"Is this where you want to live? Permanently?" Wynter asked.

Cav stiffened. "Do you not like it?"

"I love it. It's perfect," Wynter said. "Other than its distance from our grandchildren."

"Your grandchildren. I only have one."

Wynter lifted his chin. "You mate me, you get the whole shebang. You're Grandpa Cav to them all. I'm a packaged deal."

"I suppose I can accept those terms," Cav murmured before nuzzling Wynter's neck.

"Though, I might be speaking too soon. I haven't even met Jamie's kids yet." He sighed. "As soon as we get back, we need to call Gray and see about that dinner and introduction. I don't want to waste another second."

"Agreed," Cav said. "Why didn't you try to see them sooner?"

"I honestly didn't think Gray and Rohan would let me spend time with them," Wynter said. "And it was also the thought of seeing the children Jamie would never have the chance to raise. It sounded painful. I've spent most of my life avoiding pain and living in this fog."

"You haven't seemed like you were in a fog since I got here. Well, there," Cavanaugh said. "Maybe that first night after the funeral, but after? There's been no fog that I could see."

"I took three of my pills the day of Warden's funeral, so I was a bit out of it that night." Wynter frowned.

"What?"

"I just realized that I haven't taken my pills since the funeral."

"What pills do you take?"

"Sermeitizylol," Wynter said. "I've been on them for years to help keep me level." Wynter cocked his head to the side. "But I feel great right now… without them." He smiled. "Maybe you're all I need to stay level."

Cav removed his arm from Wynter's shoulders and rose, his curiosity getting the better of him. "I'll be right back." He walked inside, striding to his office, and scanned his collection of reference books. He had an old copy of a Doctor's Desk Source that was likely outdated, but it had come in handy with his second mystery novel featuring a demented doctor killing patients by overmedicating them. He returned to Wynter with the book and his phone, and sat down, scanning the pages. Old or not, it might have the information if his omega had been taking the drug for a long time.

"Spell the name," Cav said, flipping the pages with one hand and holding his phone's flashlight with the other.

Wynter did and leaned in close.

"Sermeitizylol," Cav read aloud. "An antipsychotic drug which is recommended for the treatment of serious agitation in patients with delirium and dementia. Overdosing is prevalent and can cause emotional blunting, sedation, and other mood alterations. A patient prescribed this medication should be closely monitored to ensure dosing is correct." He shut the book and turned to Wynter. "Who prescribed this shit?"

"My doctor at the clinic… after I hurt myself."

"You've been on this since then?"

"Well, it was almost a year after that. Before I left treatment, my doctor suggested a local therapist to continue the work I'd began, but Warden refused to foot the bill. I'd convinced him to let me continue right before I left for the spa, but after my return, he changed his mind. I called my doctor in desperation, begging him to call and talk some sense into Warden, but it was no use. Warden wasn't budging. But a day after their chat, Warden came home with a bottle of pills. He said my doctor had called back and they'd help keep me level if I couldn't see a therapist."

"And you just took them? Without question?"

"I was desperate for help. I also didn't know then that he'd attempted to kill me, either." Wynter trembled beside him. "I've likely spent over thirty years in a drug-induced fog, sleeping more than I was awake some days, and— what did it say? Emotional…"

"Emotional blunting and mood alterations."

"I'd open my mouth and the worst things would come out sometimes," Wynter said. "Like I had absolutely no filter or control." He lifted a hand to his mouth. "What I said at the funeral… oh, no … I didn't even realize the words were out of my mouth until after they were. It was a thought in my head, and I know I shouldn't have thought it, but I sure as hell hadn't meant to say it . Not there, in front of Vaughn. I've wounded him so deeply." Wynter growled. "Was that because of these pills? I've lost so much time with my children because I wasn't really there half the time. I was so out of it, it didn't even occur to me to double-check the medication and what it was for. All I knew is it didn't hurt as much when I took it, so I took it. Oh gods, what have I done?"

"You didn't do anything but what you thought was your doctor's orders." Cavanaugh drew Wynter into his arms, his anger barely contained. "I didn't mean for it to sound like I was judging you. I'm pissed off, and it has nowhere to go."

"I should've questioned it."

"You have now. We'll call the clinic in the morning and see if we can't get access to your records. If they're still accessible, we might be able to see if it really was your doctor who prescribed them."

In his heart and mind, he knew there was no way any respectable doctor would've sent in a prescription like that without close monitoring. He didn't know what kind of care Wynter had gotten there or even the quality of the doctor, but from the positive things his mate said about that time there, he suspected the pills were all Warden's doing.

"It was him. I know it was him," Wynter whispered.

"He can't hurt you anymore," Cav said, hoping there would be no more secrets they'd stumble over. "You're not taking another of those pills, do you hear me?"

"Already ahead of you on that one," Wynter said. "Not until I speak to my doctor—though, it's been so long, who knows if he's even still there."

A thought hit Cav. "Were you taking them when you were pregnant with Wilder?"

Wynter cringed at his side. "Yes. Warden said he'd called and was told it wouldn't harm him, or Vaughn."

Cav sighed, disgusted. "Thankfully, they appear relatively healthy, but I think they need to know. In case there are any long-term side effects it could cause."

"I suppose you're right. I'd rather not add on one more thing. They've been through the ringer of late." Wynter shivered. "I hope this is the last time I have to dump something in their laps."

"I hope so, too," Cav said.

Warden was proving to be a bigger monster than Wynter's papa. Maybe not bigger, just much slyer about it. A wolf in sheep's clothing. If the man had still lived, he wouldn't have for much longer—that's all Cav knew.

He sought Wynter's lips, needing to forget about Warden Jaymes and his machinations. They both needed to forget. Cav took Wynter's face in his hands and kissed every inch of it, starting with the lips… the eyelids… each cheek.

Cav moved to the closest earlobe, nibbling on it lightly with his teeth. He reveled in Wynter's shiver and licked at the spot behind the ear, trailing down the long length of neck to one bare shoulder. Wynter opened Cav's blanket—just enough to grip the growing shaft that had tented it. He stroked Cav's length in his warm little hand, and soon enough it was hard as stone.

Wynter peeled his blanket open and rose before straddling Cav's lap. He drew the blanket closed around Cav's shoulders, cocooning them together. "I don't want to sit here and feel this pain anymore. Make me forget."

Already working on it. "I plan on spending the rest of our lives making you forget all the sadness," Cav said. "I'll fill you with my love and my joy… and bring you all the pleasure humanly possible."

Wynter sighed before he leaned in for a kiss. He ground his hips, rubbing his hard cock against Cav's. Cav reached over one hip and slipped a finger between the crevice, slick soon coating the tip. Adding a finger, he sank them in Wynter's wet heat.

His omega keened, crying out into the mountain. An owl hooted back under the near full moon and an array of stars in the black velvet of night.

Cav spun Wynter to face forward, dragging the blanket out and laying it back over his mate in the chill evening air. Wynter leaned back against him, sliding his slick-coated hole over Cav's shaft.

"Alpha…" Wynter muttered. "I need…"

Cav closed his eyes, a hint of a rut hitting him. It had been so long since he'd gone into rut, he wasn't completely sure that's what it was, but it sure felt similar.

"Fill me with your seed, alpha," Wynter whispered.

And that convinced him. His omega was in heat.

A smile formed on his lips. He'd thought their chances to experience another lost. Wynter hadn't had a heat in many cycles, but reunited, it returned. A gift he'd not been expecting.

"Oh gods," Wynter mumbled. "Am I… I'm in heat, aren't I?"

"I think so," Cav said softly against his omega's ear. He grasped Wynter's ass with both hands and lifted, angling his cock against the warm slick at the entrance to his omega's hole. Lifting his hips, he thrust deep, both of them sighing once fully bound.

They rocked on that swing, Cav cupping his omega's ass and lifting, thrusting, and lifting again. Wynter mewled his pleasure, lifting both arms over his shoulders to clutch Cav's. He held on as Cav filled his love over and over again.

"Oh Cav… oh, baby… yeah, right there… oh, fuck…"

Sweat beaded Cav's brow as he pushed his omega closer to the edge—all while holding on to his tenuous control. The heat itself had strung him tight. It wouldn't take long before he'd orgasm and blast Wynter's womb with seed.

"I want your baby, alpha," Wynter crooned, his head lolling back. "Fill me with your baby, Cav."

Wynter screamed seconds later, the muscles wrapped around Cav's cock tight as he strained. It sent Cav over the edge, as well. His knot swelled, locking them together as he filled his mate's womb.

Wynter collapsed against him, gasping for air. Cav struggled himself.

They sat there quietly, bound in the dark under the stars.

"It's been almost a year since my last heat," Wynter finally said. "If that's what this is."

Cav kissed Wynter's earlobe. "I sensed it might be… but that baby talk convinced me it was. We get another heat to play with."

Wynter chuckled. "A mild one, if it is."

"Well, we're neither one a young man. A full heat might kill me."

"Don't say that," Wynter scolded. "You're going to live forever, remember?"

Cav chuckled. "I'll do my best, my love."

Wynter turned and sought a proper kiss before resting his head on Cav's chest. "I said it was mild, but technically… the full moon is tomorrow night. I don't have any Heat Repress with me. I thought I was done with those days."

"Tonight might be the extent of it, for all we know," Cav said. "And if it is, we treasure this little moment and smile."

Wynter stiffened against him.

"What's the matter? Am I hurting you?"

"No," Wynter said. "A thought just came to me."

Cav paused, waiting to hear.

"If I'm having a heat… does that mean I—" He stopped. "No. No. Not possible."

Cav's mind exploded as he realized what Wynter was suggesting. "A fifty-three-year-old omega is highly unlikely to get pregnant. But it's not impossible."

"Don't you dare," Wynter said. "I'm a grandpapa. This baby factory is closed."

Cav knew they were much too old to become parents. It was unfair to a child, in his opinion. If they had one, they'd be in their seventies and eighties by the time the kid went off to college. Yet, the thought of getting a chance to raise a son with his omega tugged at him in a way he knew it shouldn't.

"If only we were ten years younger," Wynter said, as if reading his mind. "It would've been nice to have a baby we could raise together."

"The grandbabies are good enough for me," Cav said. "And we can still travel all we want."

"True," Wynter replied with a grin. The grin faded. "I'm sorry you didn't get to watch your son grow into a man."

"Yeah, but at least I got to see that he did."

Tears shone in Wynter's eyes.

"No… none of that," Cav said. "We're supposed to be forgetting the past and focusing on our future. Right?"

Wynter nodded, blinking back the tears.

Cav rocked the swing while caressing his mate under the blanket. Wynter melted against him, so still and quiet that Cav was sure his omega had dozed off. As soon as his knot thinned, he carefully withdrew and lifted his sleeping mate into his arms and returned to their bed.

Later that night, Wynter awoke, needful again. Cav reveled in his mate's mild heat, grateful for every second of it. It called again hours later, a bit stronger than the others—but the rest that came during the evening and into the next day were calmer by comparison. By the evening of the second day, it seemed to have died off.

"Two days and done? That's not a full heat," Wynter said, his eyes hooded and half open. "We've been robbed."

"I think two days of near nonstop fucking is plenty," Cav said. He brushed Wynter's hair back. "How about that hot bath I owe you?"

Wynter moaned. "Yes, please."

Cav shuffled out of bed, his body sorer than he could ever recall—yet satisfied in a way words failed to describe. Before he left, he stole another kiss and then entered the modernized bathroom he'd built, which included a massive tub for two with its own hot water tank. After getting the temp just right, he left it to fill and returned to his dozing omega. He lifted Wynter into his arms.

"Put me down," Wynter said sleepily. "I can walk."

"Nope. I've waited thirty years for this moment. I'm carrying you." Cav smiled to himself and carried his precious cargo to the bathroom.

After he lowered Wynter into the water, he climbed in himself—behind his omega.

"Oh, I like this," Wynter said, cuddling close. "I'd much rather share."

"As sore as this old man is, I appreciate you letting me join you."

"Old man?" Wynter scoffed. "I saw no old man sharing my heat."

Cav chuckled. "These are the kinds of lies I find acceptable, just so we're clear."

Wynter laughed. "Duly noted."

He reached for the fresh washcloths on the corner and took one. After he wet and lathered it, he caressed his omega's arms softly. "Are you in any pain?"

"None," Wynter whispered. "Sore, yes, but the bath is helping." He turned his head to Cav. "Are you in any pain?"

"Nope," Cav replied with a smile. "Although my heart is close to bursting. I never thought we'd get another one of these."

Wynter spun, turning to straddle Cav. He lifted one of Cav's hands and placed it on his heart. "Mine, too. And I'm glad I could share it with the man I love."

Cav eyed the glittering ring on his mate's hand. "I know we should probably wait a while, given that you're technically still a widower—but I don't want to wait a second longer than we have to."

"Why wait?" Wynter asked. "We've waited long enough."

Cav grinned. "We have."

"I want to do it in Alexandria—or wherever, as long as my boys are there. I don't know if Vaughn will come, of course, but I want our family there." Wynter stole the washcloth, soaped it up, and washed over Cav's chest. "What about your brothers? Should we go visit them before the ceremony—or just invite them and their families?"

"I assumed you'd want to keep this small and intimate," Cav said.

"Are you kidding me? I didn't even get a ceremony the first time—not that I wanted one. I signed my life away and within the hour, I was on the train to Alexandria. I want a celebration, with all of our family. My brothers, yours—our kids and grandkids." Wynter's eyes popped open. "A destination ceremony somewhere exotic. Oh, wait… that would be really expensive."

"Cost is of no concern. If you want a destination ceremony, we go wherever your little heart desires."

Wynter grinned. "No… we can go on our first mated trip somewhere exotic. Just the two of us. I'd say ask Wilder to have the ceremony in their backyard, but with all our brothers and their family, that might be tight."

"We could have it here. On the mountain where we first fell in love," Cavanaugh offered.

"Is there enough space?"

"I inherited Trout's farmstead, and I've snapped up a couple of smaller plots, too. There's space down there to erect a big tent for the festivities, if we needed to."

"Where do your brothers live?"

"Here, most of them," Cav said.

"Mine, too—so we'd just need to bring a few folks over from Alexandria."

"They can stay at Trout's old place there while they're here," Cav said. "I lived there for a time while the cabin was being rebuilt. I cleared some of it out and made some minor repairs when I lived there, but I haven't done a walkthrough in a while. I'm sure it needs a little fixing up and definitely a good cleaning, but there's five bedrooms, so it should be enough to hold them, I think." He caressed Wynter's cheek. "It might not be fancy, but come spring, that field down there is full of wildflowers and it's absolutely gorgeous."

"I love it. It's perfect." Wynter smiled. "I don't need fancy. I just need you."

"Are you saying I'm not fancy?" Cav asked, feigning a wound.

Wynter laughed, the light and joy in his eyes tightening Cav's chest. "Nope, not fancy, my Wildling."

Cav grinned, pleased by that answer. He slid one hand behind Wynter's head and captured his omega's mouth, hungry to sample that joy on his love's lips. He'd soon grow heavy from the taste, day after day spent sharing his omega's affections.