Epilogue

CONNOR

He didn't usually do regret. He was the alpha of the mighty Oakford Pack. He brought fear and retribution to any wolf who caused harm to innocent folk. He wasn't to be messed with.

At least, that was what Connor told himself as he manfully clung to a rock in the tiny grotto, water eddying around him and seeking out the most sensitive spots.

"Ben," he half-growled, half-moaned as water tickled his skin.

The water played with his oversensitive nipples and nudged his thighs apart. There was a sweep against his asshole and a delicate swirl of water like it sought entry.

Connor's claws gouged into the rock. "Ben!"

The luckbringer floated past, forest-green eyes wide as a doe's and just as innocent. "Hmmn?"

That little, fucking tease…

They'd already spent an unknown amount of time underwater, splayed out on a smooth rock ledge that seemed just made for them, sharing breath. It was the most insane, glorious experience of Connor's life, giving his complete trust to his mate. His body shuddered at the sweet taste of Ben and the easy way Ben's body melded against his own as they breathed into each other.

There remained a lingering edge of fear from the deadly grotto that made Connor's heart beat harder. So Ben gently brought him back to the surface, kissing the whole time, and then abandoned Connor to this… torment.

The water finally breached Connor's rim, slipping in to rub over his prostate in a way that made his vision spark.

"Right, that's it," Connor growled. He pushed away from the rock with a wild splash and grabbed Ben by the calf, reeling him in.

Ben laughed, flailing briefly in surprise before locking his arms around Connor's neck. "Hello, beloved."

"Hello, mate," Connor rumbled back and arranged Ben's legs to wrap around his waist. Wonder flared in his heart at having his arms full of his beautiful, playful mate. It was very different from their first meeting, when Ben's first action had been to try stabbing Connor in the eye.

He carried Ben over to the shallows, his mouth finding the delicate skin along Ben's collarbone. Nipping the tender flesh, he was rewarded with a hiss and Ben riding up his body.

Their mouths slotted together, easy and perfect as Ben opened up to him. Connor deepened the kiss, tongue exploring as he cupped the back of Ben's neck to draw him closer. He was rewarded with Ben turning breathless and looking punch-drunk as he leaned back.

"You've got an hour before Freya comes to fetch me, beloved," Ben said, eyebrows waggling suggestively.

Connor felt a mix of protectiveness and pride at Ben slotting into pack life. Freya had snaffled the luckbringer to join the enforcers who patrolled the territory, demanding that Ben's stealth and fierceness not be wasted just because Connor wanted his mate close. There was probably only a few months before Ben joined them on hunts outside Oakford territory, seeking out others who needed sanctuary.

"Not nearly enough time," Connor muttered as his fingers traced down Ben's spine. Eternity wouldn't be enough.

Ben beamed, the water pulsing about to pull them closer together. "Seamus and Jake will be there."

"At least it's not those other two pervs," Connor muttered.

His enforcers were far too invested in Connor's relationship with his mate. They'd been wise enough to retreat to their own cabins in the past week, probably seeking respite from the loud noises coming from Connor's bedroom. But this morning Connor found a suspiciously fist-shaped wood carving on the deck, along with a basket of lube and packets of Mason's spice rub for overworked joints.

Ben had looked over the gifts with a satisfied, predatory gleam before skipping off to go shooting with Jake. The quiet enforcer announced Ben was an ideal spotter, his sprite magic acting as the perfect cover should they find themselves out in the open. If Ben showed slight tenderness in his shoulder after the first training session, Connor didn't comment. Anything that made Ben's dark green eyes sparkle was worth it.

Just watching Ben thrive now that he decided his place within the pack was everything.

The water suddenly whirled against Connor's balls, tugging gently before moving up to tease the length of his cock. His breath shuddered.

"You're not paying attention," Ben said, forest-green eyes glowing.

"I'm nothing but attentive for my mate," Connor replied, hefting Ben up so that he could grab muscled handfuls of Ben's ass.

Ben made a soft sound of agreement. "Prove it, alpha."

Connor took him in a devouring kiss, leaning down until Ben was back in the water. Trusting the sprite to float, he made his way down Ben's body, peppering kisses down his chest and navel. His mouth found Ben's cock and was rewarded with his mate's gasp.

Hearing his fearless mate come undone under his tongue almost undid Connor. He was already too hard, teased for too long by his mate's magic.

Connor held Ben's hips and took his cock deeper until he hit the back of Connor's throat. Holding him still, Connor swallowed, making Ben splash and grab him by the hair as he yelled.

Humming in satisfaction, Connor tongued his way up Ben's length and across his slit before sinking his mouth back down on Ben over and over again. Ben quickly drew close, making little needy sounds, but Connor wanted to feel Ben clenching around him as they both came.

Connor slid his hands from Ben's hips to his ass, kneading the supple flesh before pushing his fingers into the cleft to find his hole. It twitched under his touch, and Connor slid his finger into his molten heat.

"No need," Ben gasped out, writhing a little. "You're not the only one I've been tormenting with water tricks."

Meaning he'd been loosening himself up while letting the water get handsy with Connor's balls.

"Clever mate," Connor rumbled with approval. He licked his way up Ben's length, swirling his tongue over the crown.

Ben grabbed a fistful of his hair and tugged hard. "Seriously, you need to get your cock in me right now," he growled. His forest-green eyes flashed.

Chuckling, Connor planted a kiss on the leaking head before sliding his hands up Ben's spine and lifting him so their mouths clashed. Ben hooked his ankles together at the base of Connor's back, lifting himself and reaching behind to line Connor's cock with his hole.

It was tempting to ram home, but one of them had to stay in control, and it certainly wasn't Ben judging by the frustrated cries as he tried to grind down on Connor's cock. Connor held him still, mouthing the delectable skin of his throat.

"Please," Ben begged, seating the crown of Connor's cock against the first ring of muscle. "I'm so ready for you. All of you. Now, Connor."

Who was he to deny his mate? Connor steadied Ben's hips, angling himself to ensure he hit his mate's prostate as he entered in one long thrust. He buried himself to the hilt with a moan, astonished by the enveloping tightness. Too tight, really.

Ben yelped and then stayed very, very still. "Okay, maybe I wasn't quite so ready," he gritted out.

Connor froze. "Fuck, Ben?—"

"Just stay still a minute," Ben said, shuddering and burying his face into Connor's throat as he breathed through the pain.

The clenching tightness of his inner walls around Connor's cock was a testament to their over-eagerness. "Sorry, love," he said. "The last thing I want is to hurt you."

"Yeah, I know," Ben said, twitching slightly. "Just give me a minute and I'll be good to go."

Connor stayed still, waiting for Ben to relax around him. The water pressed up against where they were joined, sending little pulses like someone had snuck in a vibrator and set it right under Connor's balls.

"Ah, that's not helpful."

"Not helpful for you, maybe," Ben said, smugness creeping back into his voice.

Connor snorted. It took all his willpower not to lose control and pound into Ben like an unhinged teenager. No wonder sprites loved their grottos, if these were the games they played. He lifted Ben's face to kiss his upturned mouth and reveled in the taste of his mate, all wildness and that unique, incredible sunlight-on-water scent.

"I'm so damn lucky," Connor murmured.

"I am," Ben said, rocking against him slightly. He clenched experimentally before nodding. "Show me, beloved."

Connor pushed in gently, inch by inch, watching Ben's face for any flicker of discomfort. Finding none, he pulled back and thrust in again. Ben's green eyes brightened as he met Connor thrust for thrust.

Gazing down at his beautiful face, Connor cupped Ben's jaw and drew him in for a lingering kiss. Ben's breath pushed into him, dizzying and magical in its own right. Connor found a smooth pace, drawing out little moans as Ben squeezed his eyes shut. Watching Ben's face, Connor angled himself just right to hit his prostate.

"Fuck, I'm not going to last," Ben moaned, pushing down eagerly to meet the next thrust.

The water pulsed around them anew, coalescing to gently tug and pull on Connor's balls. His rhythm stuttered, then he sped up and slammed home.

"That's… cheating," Connor growled, feeling his balls draw up as pleasure sparked. He drove to the hilt, again and again.

"You love it," Ben panted, his inner walls clenching around Connor.

"I do," Connor said, slamming his hips forward. "I love all of you."

It sent Ben over the edge, spurting with a heady cry.

Connor slammed into him one last time, spilling his warm release into his mate, the bliss making his vision darken for a few seconds. He pumped several more times, not wanting his mate to miss a drop.

The water danced about them before settling.

Ben floated on his back, his dark hair drifting about his head like a crown. He opened one eye and smiled. "I think you fucked every bone out of my body, beloved," he said, sounding extremely satisfied. "Carry me home?"

Home…

Grinning, Connor grabbed up his mate and kissed him senseless.