CHAPTER TEN

L ance woke early and lay there watching his soon-to-be-claimed mate asleep in his arms. Nothing compared to the feeling of holding, protecting, and providing for your mate. He'd heard others decry the depth of emotional commitment you felt when you found your mate but didn't realize how true it was.

Having your mate with you gave you a completeness that nothing else could. It gave you a sense of wholeness and total satisfaction. It was difficult to really explain to anyone who hadn't felt it because it was beyond just everyday emotional comprehension. In that moment of fullness and love, he vowed to do everything in his power to help each and every unmated member of the Lonepine Pack to find their mates. He nuzzled Ronan's neck, kissing and exploring as Ronan moaned and squirmed to get closer to the source of his enjoyment.

"Good morning, lover," Lance said softly against Ronan's shoulder as his hands caressed and soothed the tightness in Ronan's body.

"Good morning," Ronan responded, his voice raspy from sleep.

"How are you feeling?" Lance moved to position himself over him but off to the side. Slowly he moved his left leg to drape across Ronan's and leaned his weight on his elbow while playing with Ronan's hair. Their eyes met, and volumes were communicated with love and tenderness and a sense of awed ownership.

"Good, I feel good, no pain, just minor stiffness."

"Minor stiffness, I disagree." Lance chuckled as he gripped Ronan's rock-hard cock giving it a good squeeze. "I would call this major stiffness." He continued to stroke the velvety surface of his firm member while Ronan moaned his approval.

Gradually Lance moved until he was on top of Ronan, being careful to keep the bulk of his weight off of his small mate, positioning himself between his legs. Ronan readily spread himself to accommodate Lance.

"I've waited so long for you, Ronan. Will you stay with me? Will you move to Lonepine and make your life here with me? My wolf and I want to claim you now and bind us together forever?" Lance searched his face lovingly, waiting for the acceptance he hoped would be there when he spoke those words to his mate.

Ronan ran his hands up and down Lance's upper arms and then his chest as if memorizing the touch and contours of the man. "I want that, I want you…I. . .love you, Lance. Everything about you draws me, and I feel like I won't ever be happy or satisfied if I'm not with you." He closed his eyes briefly and took a shaky breath. "Does that sound weird or unhealthy? It doesn't feel that way. It feels right, more right than anything in my life." Ronan stared at him, waiting for his assurance which came very quickly in the form of a smothering kiss.

"If it's weird, then we are weird together because I feel exactly the same. I love you, and I can't imagine my life without you. Its Fate, honey. You and I were meant for each other." Lance kissed him again and savored the flavor and softness of his mate. Ronan was everything he ever wanted, and here he was with him, accepting and aroused.

Lance deepened the kiss and proceeded to let his hands explore the expanses of Ronan's smooth flesh. Every single one of his wolf senses were screaming for this moment, the moment his mate would be bound to him forever. He ran his tongue down Ronan's body to his hard cock and enveloped the silky rod in his mouth. Ronan arched his back off the bed and cried out in pleasure at Lance's ministrations. "My love, all the Pack lands can hear you," Lance said with a grin.

"I don't care if they're scratching on the door; just own me already," Ronan said, his eyes blackened with lust.

Lance needed no further instructions and quickly flipped Ronan over to reveal the very thing of Lance's dreams, Ronan's firm, round ass and his tight entrance just. Lance ran his tongue along the opening, causing Ronan to vibrate with pleasure and bury his face in the pillows. As he continued rimming Ronan, he reached over to the bedside table to retrieve the bottle of lube he had placed there the night before in anticipation of their claiming. He lubed his index finger and eased it into Ronan's hole, gasping at the tightness he felt.

His wolf was clawing just beneath the surface, demanding to be buried deep in the warmth of its mate, but Lance knew he had to be slow and steady he had to make it good. Once he had eased a second and a third finger into Ronan's opening and Ronan had begun to buck back on the fingers deep inside of him, Lance knew he was ready. Lance laid Ronan flat on his back so he could stare into Ronan's eyes. "Are you ready, baby?"

"Make me yours." Ronan pleaded lustfully.

With that, Lance lubed up his cock and carefully eased himself carefully into Ronan. The crown popped through his protective ring, and Lance stilled himself, waiting for Ronan to adjust. His wolf howled at the feeling of tight warmth and oneness with his mate.

"More Lance, I need more, I need you." Ronan was breathless with need.

Lance shouted out loud the depth of his pleasure as he buried himself up to the hilt inside of Ronan.

"I've never felt so close to anyone." Ronan said, "I can feel your heartbeat."

"And I can feel yours. You are mine forever, Ronan. I love you."

"Claim me, Lance," Ronan demanded.

At those words, Lance's wolf took over as his thrust became rapid and hard, and his canines burst forth. His vision blurred to black and white as his claws began to grow from the tips of his fingers. He zeroed in on the expanse of smooth white flesh on Ronan's neck and bit down, sending a shockwave of pleasure surging through both like a lightning bolt. Neither had ever experienced anything so strong and primal before. Both men came instantly from the contact.

Once the moment had passed, Lance eased his softening cock out of Ronan and licked the bite wounds on his neck, sealing them forever. Ronan looked over at Lance with love and longing in his eyes, and neither needed to say a word…the bond said everything. Lance pulled Ronan into his arms, and they snuggled in a deep, sated slumber.

…

They woke up a few hours later and repeated what was sure to be one of their favorite activities, and decided on a quick shower before heading downstairs to meet the world. After their shower, Lance toweled Ronan dry and took great care in the process. He successfully brought them both back to arousal once again. "If you keep this up, we will never leave the bedroom." Ronan teased but also leaned in to capture Lance's lips with his own.

"Maybe I don't want to ever leave our bedroom." Lance groaned as he took over the kiss deepening and devouring. Ronan snuggled into his chest as Lance hugged him close. "One more round and then downstairs to announce the bond; what do you say?" Lance teased.

"I would say yes, but everyone is downstairs waiting. I'd hate to have to rush." Ronan smiled seductively.

"Okay, let's rush the bonding announcement and make sure to save time for the important things." Lance winked and took Ronan's arm to led him downstairs.

Lance and Ronan walked down the main stairs of the Manor house and into the large formal dining room used for pack dinners. Aaron and Molly were already present at the front of the room, and all were waiting for the Alpha and his new mate. They took their places at the head of the large ornate oak table in matching handmade oak chairs made just for this occasion. Ronan was seated while Lance remained standing and addressed the pack members assembled.

"I would like to formally present to the Lonepine Shifter pack the Alpha Mate Ronan James. He has accepted me as his mate, and we are bonded. Let's raise a glass to many years of good fortune." The crowd assembled cheered and raised their glasses in the air.

Lance continued. "I'd like to also present the Beta Mate Molly James." He looked directly at Aaron. "Has she accepted you, and have you been bonded."

"She has, and we have," Aaron said with a gigantic smile.

The crowd cheered once more, and Ronan could not help being drawn up into the moment. He stood up beside his mate and gripped his hand.

"The Pack has not been my home for long, but I have found acceptance here in a matter of days that I have not had, outside of my sister, for most of my life. I pledge to devote myself to the Pack and the town of Lonepine. I especially pledge my love and fidelity to you, Lance, my mate, and my partner forever. I love you."

Lance melted on the spot and gathered Ronan up into a tight embrace. "I love you too, my mate, and I vow to honor, provide and protect for the rest of our lives." The atmosphere was jubilant as they cheered for what they hoped would be many more years of happiness for the Lonepine Pack.

THE END