Chapter 33

Bending over the bed, Smokey couldn't believe how good it felt to have Norm in him. It had been a long time since he'd bottomed, but for his mate, Smokey never thought twice about it. And it was even more arousing since, at the same time, his cock was buried deep in Theo. Grunting in time to Norm's thrusts, he was on the edge of coming; all he needed now was his mate's teeth buried in his…

"Theo, wake up!" Kieran shouted, pounding on his friend's bedroom door. "C'mon Theo, if you don't answer, I'm coming in!" When no response was forthcoming, he flung the door open, causing it to bang against the wall. Rushing in, he stopped at the sight of the three bears still in bed. "Oh. My. Gods! Theo! You gotta get up! Kota had his baby last night! Can you believe it? C'mon, we gotta go see him! My spirit told me about it this morning, although I'm a little upset he didn't wake me up last night, but macushla made our spirit promise to let me sleep because of Squirt which was very nice of him, but I still would have liked to know last night but this morning works, too. C'mon Theo, Kota's waiting to show us his pup! Can you believe it? Your cub and my pup are gonna have so many cousins!"

His dream evaporating into thin air, Smokey opened his bleary eyes and saw someone standing in their bedroom. "What the fuck?" he muttered.

Theo sat up, rubbing the sleep from his eyes. "Kota had his baby?"

"That's what I've been trying to tell you!" Kieran exclaimed, bouncing on his toes. "C'mon, get dressed!"

Suddenly fully awake, Theo grinned as he scrambled over Smokey to get out of bed. Pulling open a drawer, he grabbed some clothes and quickly slipped into them. "Let's go," he said, grabbing Ki's arm and tugging him toward the door. "I can't believe the baby's here cuz it wasn't supposed to come for another two weeks. My gift for Kota and Slate hasn't even arrived, yet."

"No problemo, you can share mine," Kieran replied, following Theo out of the bedroom.

"Hey, shut the door," Norm called before turning over in bed to go back to sleep.

When the door remained open, Smokey got out of bed and stomped over to slam it shut. "We need to keep this fucker locked," he grumbled to Norm.

"It won't matter…Ki's spirit will just open it," Norm replied, rolling over and smiling at his grumpy mate.

Getting back into bed, Smokey asked, "Does that whirlwind do this often? Barge into bedrooms without warning?"

Norm's brow furrowed as he thought about his mate's questions. "No…not usually, but today is a special occasion. When we arrived here, Dakota took Theo under his wing in the kitchen and nurtured our mate's love of cooking. When Dakota had problems with his pregnancy and was forced to stay in bed, Theo missed him terribly."

"I didn't know that," mumbled Smokey.

Smiling, Norm replied, "Nor would you, especially since we haven't had the time to tell you about the members of the pack and what they can do. For instance, Kieran is the head Shaman of our world…"

Smokey's eyes grew wide. "Holy shit! That's why he has a spirit companion."

"And he's also Theo's best friend, so when his spirit told him about Dakota, there was no stopping Ki from telling Theo—not even a locked door—because he knew Theo was worried about him. "I'm also sure Ki knows how risky Theo's pregnancy is and wanted to ease his mind about Dakota."

Frowning, Smokey muttered, "Now I feel like an asshole."

"Why? Your feelings are normal, especially since you were interrupted while enjoying…"

"Don't!" Smokey growled.

"Me fucking you," Norm grinned. "It was amazing, wasn't it?"

Shaking his head, Smokey said, "This one-way mind link isn't fair…we need to bite each other and soon."

"I agree," Norm said, "but in the meantime…how about a blow job?"

~/~/~/~/~

It was still dark when Kahn woke from another restless night of sleep. Rolling onto his back, he stared at the ceiling and thought about what was waiting for him. When his sisters found out they were never returning to the Silver Point pack, he fully expected a round of hysterics that would make yesterday's look mild in comparison. His patience was in short supply, but he knew he had to bite his tongue, or his plan to leave today would go up in smoke. It would be easier if his mother would back him up, but he couldn't count on it after seeing how she'd reacted yesterday.

Kahn checked the room and, satisfied he had everything, zipped his bag closed. Leaving the safe house was the first item on his list, but before he could even think about that, he needed caffeine. Flicking off the light switch, he stepped into the dark hallway, only to stumble over something on the floor. Dropping his bag as he reached out with his hands to cushion his fall, he was saved from the impact by a strong set of arms that caught him.

Holding his mate again was a dream come true and Reeve wasn't going to waste the moment. Lowering his head, he brushed his lips softly against Kahn's, marveling at their softness. Surprised but pleased when Kahn responded, he deepened the kiss, moaning when his mate's tongue sought entrance to his mouth.

When the lips he was kissing parted, Kahn wasted no time, thrusting his tongue inside and savoring the taste of the man holding him tightly. The flavor was sublime, setting every one of his nerves on fire. Craving more, he sucked the tongue he was dueling with inside his mouth, determined to keep it there forever. But even that wouldn't be enough. Fire burned inside him as he looped his arms around the source of his pleasure, pulling the man tighter to him. Kahn wanted him more than he'd ever wanted anyone else.

"Cari?o…my mate!" Reeve whispered against Kahn's lips before diving back in for another taste.

Recognizing the voice, Kahn hesitated a moment, but the pull of passion was too great to resist. Diving back in for more pleasure from Reeve's lips, Kahn's mind finally registered what the man had whispered. Mate? I'm his mate? Listening to his wolf howl in agreement, he pulled back from Reeve, staring at him in disbelief. Finally, when his lust had subsided somewhat, Kahn found his voice. "We're mates? You and I?"

"We are, cari?o."

"That can't be…I'm a wolf…and you are…just what exactly?"

"I'm a buffalo shifter," Reeve murmured, rubbing his nose behind Kahn's ear. "Has anyone ever told you how delicious you smell?"

Putting a hand on Reeve's chest, Kahn pushed him away. "No, not really, but that's a good point, actually. How come I can't smell you if we're mates?"

"I don't have a scent," Reeve replied.

"What? I thought all shifters do."

"It's a long story…"

"Give me the cliff notes version."

"My father beat it out of me."

"Why would he do that?"

"He was ashamed of what I was."

"Why, because you're gay?"

"No…he hated that I was a white buffalo."

"That's it? A white buffalo?" Kahn asked, failing to understand why color would matter. "Oh shit! He didn't like that you're an Omega!"

Reeve's eyes widened. "No…no, that's not it. I'm an Alpha! A white buffalo is very rare among my people and my father looked at me as a freak."

"Well, that's just plain dumb," Kahn said. "You'd think he'd be proud his son was so special."

"Proud? My father never felt that about me," Reeve muttered. "I was always a dirty little secret and he made sure no one ever found out about me."

"What a fucking asshole!"

Reeve chuckled. "You couldn't have described him better."

"Yeah…well I know a thing or two about asshole fathers."

"About that," Reeve murmured. "How are you doing?"

Sighing, Kahn let his head fall back against the door frame. "Honestly? I haven't really had time to sort out my feelings. Between worrying about my mother and dealing with my sisters who blame me for their father's death…"

"It wasn't your fault!" Reeve growled.

"I know that…Josiah brought this on himself…at least that's what my mind tells me."

"But your heart tells you he's still your father," Reeve said, softly.

"Yeah…something like that," Kahn replied. "Dumb…isn't it. My father was a mass murderer…he killed my young cousins and yet I can still remember him when he was different. My mother told me yesterday he loved me very much, but it's hard for me to accept that when it's the same man who killed so many people in cold blood. Was he capable of loving someone when he had so much hate in him? I just don't know and maybe I'll never know, but I'll have to figure out how to live with the incongruity of it all. Maybe he had two sides to him, like Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde."

"It'll take time, but in the end, you'll make peace with it."

"I hope so."

"Boss…you okay?"

Glancing down the hallway, Reeve saw one of his men standing at the top of the stairs. "I'm okay." Then looking back at Kahn, he said, "We have more to talk about but I'd prefer to do it in private…if you don't mind."

Untangling himself from his mate, Kahn stood up first and then grabbed Reeve's hand, helping him to his feet. "How about my bedroom?"

"That's good."

Picking up the bag he'd dropped, Kahn followed his mate into the room, closing the door behind him. Then leaning against it, he indulged in ogling Reeve's body, imagining the pleasure it would give him. Everything about the man was perfect for him and he wondered why he hadn't noticed it before. And that thought led him to ask, "How long have you known we were mates?"

"From the first day we met."

Raising an eyebrow, Kahn asked, "Why didn't you tell me? Were you waiting to see if I was involved in Josiah's crimes?"

Shaking his head, Reeve replied, "Not at all…I knew you were innocent, but I couldn't claim you until Josiah was in custody."

"Why would my father have anything to do with our mating?"

"Conflict of interest," Reeve explained. "His lawyer could use our relationship to sow doubt about your father's guilt."

"Leave it to my father to fuck up my mating," Kahn said, snorting. "So what happens now? Does his death mean you're free to claim me?"

"Do you want me to claim you?" asked Reeve, holding his breath.

Kahn thought for a moment before answering. "I grew up with a father who didn't believe in the Fated Mates nonsense, as he put it. So I never expected the Fates would give me one, especially since I'm an anomaly…a gay artist who's an Alpha wolf. Or is it an Alpha wolf who's gay and an artist?" Shrugging, he continued, "I'm sure you can understand why I never expected to have a mate unless it was a bonded one. And I wasn't interested in that. My art is my passion, my life, and as necessary to me as the air I breathe, and I won't give it up…even for a Fated Mate. So if you have an issue with that, then I think it's better if you don't claim me."

"I don't," Reeve said softly.

"You say that now, but will you feel the same when I spend hours…even days…in the studio painting only to collapse on my bed and sleep for twenty-four hours? What about when I'm depressed because my muse has taken a vacation and I'm panicking because I think it has left me for good? Do you really want to put up with the emotional mess I can become?"

"Yes."

Kahn looked at Reeve skeptically, then said, "I find that hard to believe. Why would you put up with someone like me when there are others out there that won't ignore you for days on end while they paint?"

Reeve studied his mate for a moment, before walking over to him and running a finger down Kahn's cheek. "I can't figure out if you're trying to convince me I shouldn't claim you or if you are trying to convince yourself not to claim me. If it's the former, then you can save your breath. Nothing you say will change my mind about you. A relationship is made up of two souls, both with their own needs and desires, but the love they have for each other makes sure neither of them loses the essence of who they are."

Kahn gasped. "It sounds like you love me already, but you don't even know me."

"I already know you're strong, kind, loving, and fucking talented beyond belief. The rest will be fun to discover…such as how good you are at sucking my cock…or how quickly I can make you shoot your load. See? Lots of fun times ahead."

Laughing, Kahn leaned his forehead against Reeve's. "You should know I love cock and no one has ever been able to make me come quickly. Anticipation is everything, you know."

"Oh, a challenge! Wanna bet I can make you come when I want you to?"

"Nope, that wouldn't be right since I already know I'd win."

Smiling, Reeve said, "It's gonna be fun proving you wrong." Then, his expression turned serious as he tenderly cupped Kahn's face. "When you are depressed about your muse taking a vacation, I will be there at your side, assuring you it will return…and when you are painting, whether for hours or days, I promise to feed you, clean the house, shop for groceries, do the laundry and anything else that needs to be done…and when you are exhausted from creating beauty, I will undress you and tuck you into bed. And I also promise to listen to you bitch about any assholes who criticize your paintings and, through it all, my love for you will be steady and true."

"You would do all that for me?" Kahn whispered, a tear slowly running down his cheek.

"Always, cari?o." Brushing the wetness away, Reeve lovingly kissed his mate. "Always and forever, cari?o." The Fates had deemed him worthy and he vowed never to make them regret their decision.It had been a long and painful journey for him, and sometimes he wasn't sure he'd make it, but the angel who found and rescued him promised he would. So he never gave up, even during times when the nightmares of his youth haunted his dreams. Even as the years passed, he'd kept his angel's words in his heart. And now, the agony of his youth was gone and, in its place, stood his future with the one who was made just for him—someone to love, cherish, and protect from harm.