Chapter Eight

Dane feared his head might explode from the contradictory thoughts and feelings swirling around like the blizzard that was threatening to arrive outside. Having Remy in his arms again gave him a feeling of pure bliss. He’d never been so happy—hadn’t even imagined that it was possible to be so. But thoughts of what could have happened to the sweet omega as he’d made his journey here on his own made him furious with terror. He wanted to both hug him close, murmuring his affection, and shake him with a blistering lecture.

His wolf had no such conflicting reactions. He pranced and howled with abandon at the arrival of who he wanted most in the world. It had been a struggle for Dane to keep his wolf quiet and under control since they’d left the compound. Each time Remy’s wolf had sadly called out, Dane had been forced to shut his wolf down and bury him deep within. He’d never before exercised such dominance over that basic part of himself. He hadn’t even dared shift for fear that his wolf would race right back to the longhouse. The last few days had been a greater torture than anything his sire had ever devised. The relief of being able to set his wolf free and indulge both of them in the comfort of Remy’s presence nearly brought him to his knees.

Remy’s wolf yipped in response to Dane’s call and the boy sighed once they were in the den. Dane tried to ignore all of them as he went about the practical need of making sure Remy was okay. He set the boy on his pallet and wrapped a furry hide around him. Then he went to stoke the fire to increase the heat it threw out. He made sure the flap he’d fashioned to close the entrance was as firmly in place as possible before turning back to stare at the omega. He wanted to be stern but the sight of the small shifter huddled within the make-shift blanket melted all of his anger away.

Dane sighed. “Remy, what are you doing here?”

The omega blinked owlishly at him before answering in a low voice. “I thought that was obvious. I wanted to see you, be with you, if only for a little while longer. You seem happy enough to have me here,” he added with a bit of slyness to his tone that was so unlike him.

Dane grimaced as he looked at his waving cock. “Never mind that. I’m always hard these days.” It was all too true. Since returning to his den, he’d been hard and achy constantly. And every time he’d gone to relieve himself, he’d stopped. His hand was no substitute for Remy’s luscious body and if he couldn’t have the omega…he’d do without and it was no more than he deserved. He should never have gotten as close to the omega as he had.

With a shy smile, Remy lifted the edge of his covering. A slender dick peeked out. “So am I.”

Dane couldn’t hold back the grunt. The sight of the omega’s arousal was like a punch to the gut. His cock pulsed with the urge to go and mount the boy. He held himself in check with a strength he hadn’t known he possessed. “It doesn’t matter what our bodies want. It’s our nature trying to take control. The fact still remains that we are not mated and you shouldn’t be here.”

Remy dropped his gaze. “Are you going to take me back?”

Dane hardened his heart. “Yes. But not now.” He scrubbed his face with one hand to clear his head and work off his frustration. Behind him, the flap to the entrance snapped. “The snow is starting to accumulate already and the wind has picked up. I think it’s going to be a significant storm and even in our wolf forms, the journey back won’t be good for you.”

A smile crept up Remy’s face. “That means I have to stay until tomorrow at least.”

Dane grimaced again. “Yes.” He knew there was no way he’d be able to keep his hands off the boy for such a long period of time. And Remy, naughty omega that he’d become, would be of no help. He’d offer himself up at every opportunity. That much was clear. Ah well. There was no real harm in it, unless one counted the blows to his heart that would come from having to give the boy up again. Remy was both breeding already and not yet mated, so the mounting didn’t technically break any shifter laws. And damn Conan anyway for not wooing the boy properly and while he was handing out silent recriminations, how had Graydon and the others let an omega run off anyway?

Giving over to more practical concerns, he went to the pile of food that Celia had delivered to him after he’d left. “You need to eat.”

“I am hungry,” Remy admitted in his usual agreeable tone.

Dane crouched to sift through his stores for what would be the most filling and nutritious. He brought a jar of pickled potatoes and some salted sausages, placing both on a stiff piece of hide that served well enough as a plate. Handing them over to Remy and watching the boy tuck into the food with enthusiasm caused a swelling of pride. He’d done nothing of note yet couldn’t help feeling that he’d fulfilled an ancient duty to provide for his mate.

He”s not mine!Scowling at his own foolish thoughts, he left the omega again to heat up a cup of herbal tea. Plain cold water was all he needed, although he’d appreciated his mother’s gesture when he’d found the bundle of dried herbs. Now he was happy to have the extra luxury. Remy would benefit from something warm and appreciate something flavorful. It wasn’t much, but when he handed the steaming cup to the boy, his reaction told him he’d done the right thing.

Remy sipped at the tea to wash down a bit of meat. “Hmm. It’s delicious. Thank you.” He looked at Dane from over the rim of the mug with eyes moist from something other than the water vapor rising from the tea.

Dane sat heavily on his ass. “It’s not much. You’d be having better at the longhouse.”

Remy jutted out his bottom lip. “You’re not there so it wouldn’t be as good.”

Dane closed his eyes briefly. “Remy…”

“Why did you leave without saying good-bye?”

The hurt in the boy’s voice tore Dane to shreds. “I thought it would be easier.”

“For you, maybe.” Remy buried his face in his mug.

“For both of us.” Why do I feel so guilty? I did what was right.

Remy put his mug aside. “I get that you’re the beta and know better than me, but…”

“But what, Remy?” Dane couldn’t resist putting his hand on the omega’s knee.

“I was really hard waking up and finding you gone.” Tears welled up in the omega’s lovely eyes and spilled over onto his cheeks. “I cried because I’m not as strong and smart as you.”

“Oh, Remy.” No dominant with any decency could ignore the pain in those words and the abject sadness of a crying omega. He moved without thinking, knocking the remnants of the meal out of the way and hoisting the omega onto his lap.

He stroked the boy’s damp hair and cuddled him as he softly cried. It wasn’t loud or obvious, except for the wetness that dripped on Dane’s chest and the muffled sniffling. Remy had learned to be quiet in his misery and it infuriated Dane that an omega had been forced to placate dominants that way. He didn’t dwell on it long, though. Remy’s soft skin pressing against his along with the sweet smell of the omega’s arousal pushed out all rational thought and all emotions other than a deep need to sink his cock into the boy.

Despite his urges, Dane held himself in check. Remy’s needs came first and what he needed at the moment was comfort, nothing more. That changed sooner than Dane would have expected. The tears dried up and the sniffing turned into low moans. The omega crawled up higher onto Dane so that his arms were around Dane’s neck and their hard cocks brushed against one another. Dane couldn’t hold back a groan. Better still, Remy made little mewing sounds and bucked his hips to increase the friction. It was maddening.

His control snapping, Dane rolled them both over so that Remy was on his back with his legs splayed and Dane was nestled happily between them. “You drive me to distraction, omega.”

Remy gazed at him with wide eyes. “I’m sorry.”

“I’m not.” That was all the warning Dane gave before capturing the omega for a long kiss. He devoured the soft lips and licked his way around the sweet mouth. Remy hadn’t forgotten what he’d learned from their time breeding. He gripped Dane’s shoulders and sent his tongue chasing Dane’s. The boy also bent his knees to give Dane better access to his ass. The invitation couldn’t have been any clearer and Dane was neither sufficiently noble nor restrained to resist. Lifting one of the omega’s legs higher by cupping the back of his knee. His demanding dick found Remy’s hole unerringly. Dane groaned long and loud into the omega’s mouth as he sunk himself balls deep into the welcoming ass.

They both came without a single extra thrust. The scent of the boy’s cum spurring Dane to great arousal, he didn’t bother to dwell on that first release. Instead he bucked his hips to fuck that tight channel, barely keeping his restraint. The omega wasn’t any help in that respect. The boy lifted his hips to allow Dane to thrust even deeper and egged him on with mews of delight and sending ropes of cum up his abdomen without Dane having to help with his hand. Knowing that he had such a powerful effect on the omega—someone entirely innocent of mounting only days ago—filled him with a sense of unbridled potency. He pushed them both to climax again and again until they were exhausted and drained.

They fell asleep with Remy curled within Dane’s embrace. Nothing had ever felt so right.

****

“Wow, look at all the snow!”

Dane raised his satiated body onto his elbows and smiled at the sight of Remy peering beyond the flap. “Is it still coming down?” He knew the answer already. When a shifter lived feral for as long as he had, he got good at reading the weather. He figured the storm would last the rest of the day and into the night. Come morning, it should be safe to return the omega to where he belonged. The idea of it made his heart heavy. That was tomorrow, however. They still had today and tonight together. He would make the most of it and live with the memories for the rest of his life.

Dane heaved himself off the pallet. “Close the flap and come back here. You should eat more.”

Remy obeyed without hesitation, although there was a longing in his expression. “Can I go outside and play afterward?”

“Play?”

Remy shrugged. “I love playing in the snow. Don’t you?”

“I guess I did when I was still a pup.” Even as he said it, he wondered if he’d ever been that carefree. He built up the fire again. “We can go out after we eat. So long as we play gently. Neither of us are pups anymore and with the one you’re carrying, we have to be careful.”

The omega sat on the edge of the pallet. “Yes, sir.”

“Don’t call me that. I’m Dane. Remember?”

“I can’t forget given that I can feel you inside me even though you aren’t.”

Dane jerked his head in the boy’s direction. “I didn’t hurt you, did I?”

The shy smile the boy gave him allayed his fears. “Of course not. You never do. You make me feel…wonderful.”

Dane preened at the compliment. He simply couldn’t help himself. And once more, as he laid out a meal for the omega, his sense of duty well-done swelled within him.

This time, he ate too, ravenous from the vigorous mounting. The entire den reeked of their spendings. He would have heated water to wash them both, except the snow would take care of that and he’d bank the fire while leaving the flap open to air the place out.

They made quick work of eating, Remy obviously keen to go out. Dane had to admit he was looking forward to it as well. Opening the doorway, he said, “Change.”

Remy was in his fur within a blink of an eye. He was such a biddable boy that he’d both shifted and waited for permission to leave the cave. Dane didn’t so much say it as led by example. He shifted, then bounded out into the snow. Remy was right behind him and this time, didn’t wait for any overt permission. Instead, the omega frolicked through the powdery snow, his glee obvious with every prancing paw.

Dane enjoyed the sight for a while before giving into the temptation to join in the fun. He trotted through the snow, digging his nose into it to scent the freshness of it as well as having the pleasure of licking the melting, cold water off. Remy came over and crouching down, he yipped, before dancing away again. He looked over his shoulder as he did so, the challenge clear. Dane chased after him, slowly, so as to not overexert the omega. They rambled around the thick trunk of a nearby tree before Dane caught up to Remy and nipped at his tail. The omega immediately rolled over in submission. Dane nuzzled his belly before barking for him to get up. He led the omega on a slow walk around the immediate area, but as the snow hadn’t abated, it was getting too cold for them to stay out any longer.

Dane led Remy back into the cave and shifted back to human to close them into the den snuggly. When he turned around, Remy remained as a wolf, his dark fur coated in white.

“Change,” Dane ordered as he went to get a soft towel his mother had used to cover the travois ladened with his provisions. He used it as a softer alternative to the fur hides to rub Remy dry.

The omega sat compliantly as Dane cared for him. “Will you mount me again?”

Dane coughed out a laugh. “What a bold boy you’ve become.” And while his cock loved the idea, he needed to be the sensible one. “Later. You need time to recover.”

“Oh. I feel fine, but you’re the beta and know best.”

Dane turned to Remy so that they sat face-to-face. “Yes, I am, although being with you makes it hard for me to think clearly.” He winced inwardly. He hadn’t intended to reveal so much of his feelings to the boy. “You deserve better than me.” Once again, he’d let out more than he’d wanted.

Remy lifted his hand to trace a finger lightly down the scar where Dane’s eye had once been. “I know I don’t know very much, but you seem perfect to me. For me.”

Catching Remy’s hand, Dane pressed his lips to the palm. “It’s not that your feelings don’t count, it’s simply that others need to think about your future and that of your pups. A dominant well-established in the pack will be the right mate for you.” He took a deep breath. “Conan…”

“Likes Merida. I think they’re fated mates.”

Dane couldn’t hide his surprise. “What? Conan told you that?” When he returned Remy to the pack, he was going to have a talk with the gamma.

Remy shrugged. “Not in so many words.” He cast his gaze downward. “Everyone is trying to help me feel comfortable with him, and I do like him.”

“But?”

“He’s not you. I can’t help feeling the way I do.” He threw himself against Dane and hugged him tightly.

Dane embraced him back and kissed the top of his head. “I know. Let’s not talk about it anymore. For now, we’re here together and we have to find something to occupy us for the rest of the afternoon. That does not involve mounting.”

“Okay, what would you normally do if you were alone?”

Think of you. “Read, I suppose.”

“You have books and can read them?”

“Sure. I found some on my own and my mother gave me more when she packed the food. I know one you’ll like.”

Dane rose to sift through the stack of worn books until he found one that he knew would capture Remy’s attention. It was for pups, really, but the story was a sweet one, perfect for an omega, and had sketches for him to look at. He closed his eyes briefly, remembering how Ceilia had secretly obtained the book and had read it to him. His sire hadn’t even realized his mate could read and would never have countenanced such a foolish waste of time, especially as it was a human skill that shifters had chosen to adopt. Yet, it was one of the few happy memories he had about his puphood and was touched his mother had given it to him now.

Returning to the pallet, he set Remy against his side and showed him the cover. “This is one of my favorite stories.”

Remy snuggled close and peered at the colorful picture. “Is this what it’s about?”

“Yes, it tells the tales of the adventures of these three friends.”

“But that doesn’t make any sense. There’s a fox, an owl and a squirrel in a tiny boat. Owls come out at night and they and foxes both eat squirrels. How can they be friends?”

Dane couldn’t help smiling at the question. “Humans liked making up stories about improbable things. These creatures don’t care that they aren’t supposed to be together. And they can talk.”

“Oh, so they’re shifters?”

“Not really. They never change shape.” Dane turned to the first page and began to read. He wasn’t used to doing so out loud. It took a while for him to find his voice and cadence. Not that it mattered. Remy seemed enthralled from the first word.

They spent the afternoon snuggled in the den as the storm continued, reading and snacking on roasted nuts and herbal tea. Each time Dane took the time to cater to Remy, he took pride in doing so. For this short period of time, he could pretend that the omega was his mate. Remy started yawning toward the end of the story. Once he’d closed the book, Dane insisted that the boy take a nap.

Remy didn’t hesitate to lie down, although he pleaded in his innocent way for Dane to join him. Dane was aroused—had been the entire time since their frolic in the snow—so lying with the boy pressed against his hard dick was torture of the best kind. He drifted off with visions of what the night would bring.

****

Remy pried his eyes open, knowing that he would see Dane’s broad chest when he did so. The beta had him in a loose embrace with Remy’s face snuggled under his arm. The large, warm body was hard as the rock den they lay in. But like water, he knew how to force the mountain to make way for him, bit by bit. All he had to do was be slow and clever in his approach. He could conquer all of that power and make it do his bidding. And perhaps he should be ashamed to be such an impudent servient. But like the owl, fox and squirrel he had to be bold if he were to get what he so very much wanted.

He started by running the fingertips of one hand down Dane’s torso, barely a whisper of a touch. The man stirred slightly yet didn’t open his eyes or speak. Encouraged, Remy swirled his fingers around the line of course hair that led to the cock that bobbed over Dane’s abdomen. The beta had been hard the entire time they’d sat, then lay, curled together. Not once had he tried to mount Remy, or even pleasure him in other ways. It had been disappointing, but the beta knew better than he what was best so he hadn’t kicked up any fuss. Now, however, he was aroused too. His own dick strained into Dane’s firm hip and slick was seeping out of Remy’s hole.

He pushed up as he took hold of Dane’s shaft and swung and straddled the beta’s legs. Although his fingers couldn’t quite wrap entirely around the thick cock, he did his best to pump it while he maneuvered himself over it. By feel alone, he positioned the dick under his hole and lowered himself onto it. He gasped at the sudden widening of his channel. Even with the slick easing the way, it always felt as if his ass were being split in two for the few moments it took to adjust to the invasion. It was worth it. That pleasure spot within in him sent a spark up his cock. He closed his eyes to savor the climax.

Nothing happened. A tight grip on the base of his shaft choked back the orgasm. Prying open his eyes, Remy stared at Dane. “W-what are you doing?”

“Making it better.”

Remy shook his head once. “I don’t understand. Isn’t coming a good thing?”

Dane chuckled. “It is. But sometimes it’s not about how often, but how intensely. Trust me.”

“I do.” The cock embedded in him moved a little.

“Ride me, Remy.”

He didn’t need to be told twice or require a tutorial on what to do. Placing both palms onto the beta’s chest, he rose up and sat down again. Once again, pleasure shot through him. With Dane’s grip, though, nothing happened to ease his arousal. He repeated his movements, up and down, faster and faster. Making Dane come first would undoubtedly give him relief as well.

He was wrong about that. Dane’s dick swelled and coated Remy’s channel with warm cum. It didn’t deflate, however. Rather, Dane bucked his hips in encouragement to keep going. Twice more, Remy made the beta come. And still his own climax continued to be thwarted. Remy and his wolf both whimpered and whined, begging to be let go. Finally, as Dane came once more, he loosened his grip on Remy’s dick and jerked it.

Howling as he’d never done before, Remy came with blinding intensity. He collapsed on top of Dane even as he continued to be emptied. When it was done, Remy could only pant and lie boneless on his hard, warm pallet.

Dane ran his fingers through Remy’s hair. “How was that?”

“Amazing,” he managed to say. “I can’t believe I didn’t know how wonderful mounting can be.”

“With the right shifter, it is.” Dane’s voice sounded sad.

Remy pushed up enough to look at him. “Am I the right one for you? Because you are for me.”

“Oh, Remy.” Dane cupped his cheek. “You are perfect in every way, but I’m not the one for you.”

Tears pricked his eyes. “Why not?” He shuddered with the effort not to cry. “Why can’t you be my mate?” A lifetime of lessons learned hard couldn’t hold his tongue. The thought of losing Dane caused him more pain than anything ever had before.

Dane quickly reversed their positions, leaving Remy on his back and the beta staring down at him. “Because I’m not a proper dominant.” He looked away for a moment. “I’m damaged.”

Remy raised a hand to touch the ruined part of the beta’s face. “I don’t care.”

Dane grabbed his hand and held it tightly. “I don’t mean my lost eye.” He moved Remy’s hand to press it against Dane’s chest. “Here. Inside me. Part of me is broken and I don’t trust myself to stay in control. I don’t want to hurt you.”

Remy shook his head. “I’m not afraid of you. You’re nothing like the dominants in my old pack. Even if my judgment can’t be trusted, Merida says I’m safe with you. She always knows what’s best for me.”

Dane’s expression turned fierce. “I don’t mean that I would ever harm you physically. I’m not my sire. If I were, I’d have never left the pack in the first place.” He hung his head. “I’m afraid being back home in the pack, living in the longhouse, will prove to be too much and I’ll run away again.”

Remy didn’t understand. No one was stronger or braver than Dane. He didn’t believe for one moment that the beta would ever abandon him once they were mated. Then again, most everything seemed to confuse him. “I wish I were smarter so that what you’re saying made sense to me.”

Dane pulled him into a hug and lay down beside him. “Don’t ever think you aren’t clever, Remy. You see the good in the world, that’s all. It’s hard to see the bad when you have such an open heart. There is a shifter out there who will guard it for you and cherish you always for who you are. I’m just not the one.” He kissed Remy’s forehead. “I’m sorry.”

But I love you!Remy held his tongue. Even he was smart enough to know there was no point in saying the words out loud.

****

“Stay here.”

Remy swallowed his bite of food as he looked at Dane. He was only eating for the sake of the pup, sick to his stomach at what was coming. “I will. I promise.”

Dane peered down at him with a grimace. “Can I trust you not to run and hide?”

“Where would I go? This is the only place I want to be. Besides, I would never disobey you, Dane.”

The beta searched his face, looking for a lie. Satisfied, apparently, he nodded once. “Good. It will take me the better part of the morning to get to the compound and bring back a travois sturdy enough to carry you safely.”

Remy thought it was silly to bother with the contraption. The forest floor was covered in fairly deep snow, yet he was sure he could walk back okay on his four short legs. Dane had decreed otherwise and Remy didn’t want to argue anyway. Having a few more hours to pretend he was living in their den would give him some memories to cherish for the rest of his life. As soon as he returned, Alpha Graydon was sure to order him to mate with someone to force him to stay put. Remy knew there was nothing he could do to stop it. He wouldn’t pick Conan, though. He could do that much for Merida after all she’d sacrificed for him.

Remy merely nodded. There was nothing more to say. Dane left without a backward glance. Remy finished his breakfast and set about tidying the den. It was the least he could do and the work was a welcome distraction. He opened the flap to air the place out, even though he enjoyed the scent of the pleasure he and Dane had shared most of their last night together. When he found the book the beta had read to him, he traced the picture on the outside with a fingertip. It had been such a nice story. The lines that formed the words confused him. He wondered if his mate—whoever that turned out to be—would teach him how to read. Then he could teach his pups. Maybe they’d be smarter than he.

As he was putting the book with the others, the sound of paw steps caught his attention. That was fast. His heart was heavy, but he wasn’t going to hurt Dane any more than he had by pressing him to mate. The beta’s misery had been obvious. As bad as his own, if he were truthful.

Despite the bitter cold that the storm had left, he stepped out of the den in his human skin. There was no Dane to be seen or anyone else, so he went a little farther.

“There he is.”

Alarm shot through Remy even before he looked in the direction of the voice and saw the very shifter he’d been running from.