Chapter 8

Eight

"Wake up, sleepyhead."

Gideon's eyes popped open at the voice inside his mind, panicked it was another nightmare. It had been a week since that last demon, and while things had improved slightly after the cleansing, he'd still been plagued with sleeplessness.

He glanced around his darkened apartment, soon realizing he was alone. It has been Cassius who'd whispered inside his mind, reminding him to head upstairs for the celebration. He glanced at the clock by his bedside and groaned. Three-fifty-five a.m. The Winter Solstice was upon them, beginning soon after four. He groaned, unwilling to get up, but the promise of the power to come was more tempting than his warm bed.

Gideon slipped his feet into the soft moccasins he'd left at the end of the bed and dragged his thick cashmere robe from the end of the bed, draping it over his shoulders as he rose. He scuffed from his apartment to the elevator and took it to the rooftop garden, Oz's domain. The normal neat rows of medicinal herbs and plants had been magically pushed aside to open the center for their festivities. A massive table held a bounty of food and drink, decorated with citrus fruits and pine boughs, alight with many candles at different heights. On either end were two small pines, adorned with more candles along with small gold, red, and silver satin bows.

Wood-packed oil barrels stood at intervals along the space, aflame to give warmth and light. Overhead were dozens of white paper lanterns, magically floating above, the flames from the tapers inside twinkling in the dark. As always, the coven had gone to great lengths for the celebration, one he usually led. Thankfully, the others had taken the lead in his stead and done well. He smiled, but an ache formed in his chest as he watched his family together, happy and laughing.

He felt apart, adrift, ever since his hellish nightmare.

The entire coven was in attendance, yet he felt completely alone. He was the lone straggler, and when he walked from the shadows into the light of their party, they all turned to greet him, though some wore worried expressions.

Cassius crossed the roof, whisking a mug of mulled cider from the table on his way. He presented it to Gideon, a soft smile on his lips. "I know you were fast asleep, but I thought you'd sleep through the Solstice."

"It's not too late to," Gideon whispered, taking the mug from Cassius' outstretched hand.

Cassius frowned. "It's not like you to be late to a party, especially this one."

Gideon sipped the wine and ignored his prying eyes, though Cassius always saw too much.

"I've asked too much of you, haven't I?"

Gideon lifted his gaze and fought the desire to break. I am not weak. He forced a smile. "In what way?"

"You know what I'm talking about, Gid."

Gideon drained the mug and smiled again. "I fear I don't." He passed Cassius to refill his cup.

Cassius trailed behind him, stopping next to him. "Don't play coy with me. You're still struggling, which explains why you've been avoiding me."

"I'm not," Gideon replied, filling his cup and taking another drink. "I'm fine."

"Liar," Luca said as he appeared at his other side.

"I'm not avoiding anyone," Gideon said, glaring at Cassius. "Here I am."

"Still in your pajamas, slipping in at the last minute," Luca said. He glanced around. "This is your favorite holiday, yet you let us take over and decorate. You didn't get all dressed up like you usually do. You didn't even come up to supervise and complain about what we did wrong."

"I'm allowed to take a break one year," Gideon said, picking at the small cookies on a silver platter beside the punch bowl. He popped one into his mouth before calling across the rooftop to Graham, the owner of Bewitched Bites. "Delicious as always, Graham!"

Graham hefted his mug in the air and nodded, a broad smile on his lips. "Thank you! Happy Solstice, Gideon."

"Happy Solstice to you as well."

Graham turned back to his family, his husband and wife, and their bright-eyed children. Gideon popped another small cookie into his mouth and turned, noticing both Luca and Cassius still staring his way.

"What?"

"You could hardly be arsed to come up tonight," Luca said. "Don't pretend as if nothing's wrong."

"I'm here, aren't I?" He scanned the rooftop, a piece of him heartsick he'd not had the strength to plan and decorate the event. "Years past, others have complained I took over and did it my way. I let others have their fun this year. I've used a lot of power as of late, so it was high time someone else took charge and let me sleep in."

"You've never been a very good liar," Luca murmured.

"I was sleeping in."

"The part about you letting others have their fun. You slept in because you're exhausted. You haven't fully recharged since the…" Luca lowered his voice. "Demons."

Gideon chuckled. "I slept in because I spent the earlier part of last night in bed with three humans with massive cocks, having them tear my asshole apart. They wore me out."

It wasn't a lie. For weeks, he'd gone out nearly every night to recharge his magical batteries. Since bespelling the demons, his powers had been lagging. They'd yet to find the spell Atlas had assured them existed. His spells would only last but so long—they continued to drain him by the day, as the power needed to keep the demons locked away was unlike anything he'd ever experienced. Nearing a month, and he wasn't sure how much longer he could hold it together.

Fucking helped.

Sleep, sharing, or fucking—those were the traditional ways witches recharged. Gideon had slept a lot, and it hadn't helped much. Luca and the rest of the coven had given him a few boosts, but they didn't last long, either. Fucking? Sex magic was pure, unadulterated power, not stolen or lent—so he'd leaned into that. Hard.

He could go for hours and walk away feeling better. Not perfect, but better.

"Yet you're still tired," Cassius said. "Tonight should help."

Gideon focused on Cassius. "Yes, the Solstice always enhances us."

"Yes… and we're imbuing you tonight."

Gideon spun to fully face Cassius. "I will not take from the coven."

"You will," Cassius said firmly. "You need it."

Each Solstice and Equinox, a witch's power was amplified. The planetary alignment offered the entire coven a boon. In times of need, that boon was gifted to one suffering. It had been meant for Colby, Luca's mate who'd been cursed by a demon. They'd struggled to lift the curse and Colby had lingered in a hell of his own, half his body scarred and in pain.

But they'd been able to find a curse breaker—the very one Atlas had used in Hammer of the Witches—and no longer needed to grant Colby that boon.

"The coven has given me enough boosts," Gideon said. "We all look forward to the Solstice gift. I will not take it."

"You're protecting us all, you hardheaded fool." Cassius shook his head. "We've already voted, and it was unanimous. We will gift you our boon."

Gideon eyed Cassius, and then Luca. It was then that he noticed the seven had surrounded the table—the master tattooists and guardians of the coven. Eli, Oz, Oracio, and Phoenix eyed him, their gazes shining with the flickering flames of the candles. Atlas stood with them, though his dark eyes didn't hold the light.

He still isn't well."I think we should use it on Atlas. He needs it more than I."

Atlas caught his gaze, eyes narrowing. "The choice has already been made."

"Two cleansings and you're still not yourself," Gideon said, pulling the attention away and onto Atlas.

"I'mnot the one imprisoning an infestation of demons. You are," Atlas replied. "The boon will go to you."

Gideon searched the gazes of his brothers and saw they meant to do it, whether he wanted it or not. Before he could open his mouth to argue more, two arms wrapped around Gideon from behind.

"Giddy!"

Gideon glared at his brothers before turning to smile at the one bright light in his life. "Where have you been hiding, Daniel?"

"Oz asked me to collect more oranges for the party." He gazed down at the small basket filled to overflowing. "I like it in the greenhouse. It's really pretty in there."

Oz grinned across the table at Daniel. "Daniel wants to help me on occasion up here, and I was very glad to have him."

"I have two coven jobs now. I'm a workaholic."

Gideon smiled at Daniel's brilliant one. "Graham won't miss you, will he?"

"I only work in the bakery two days a week. I have a lot of time," Daniel said, giving a thumbs up sign. "And Oz says I have a green thumb."

"The greenest," Oz replied. "He convinced my bloodroot plants to flower early. I think they like him better than they like me."

"It's time," Cassius interrupted. "The Solstice has begun."

The clouds parted over the rooftop, the lanterns dancing out of the way. Everyone in the coven reached out and took another's hand before lifting their faces to the bright moon appearing above. Gideon sensed the rising power growing within, gasping at the intensity of it. As weak as he'd been, the grace that swept through was all the more potent. He closed his eyes, the waves of strength crashing over him like waves.

They lifted their joined hands and recited the prayer they repeated every single winter.

Deepest, darkest vesper ends

amid the light's effecting

Solstice lures the cockcrows climb

To vanquish gloom impending.

Sunrise fells the close of night

his radiance expanding

Pending dusk's endmost repeat

and Luna most enchanting

Gideon felt it the second the coven turned their focus to him. His feet lifted from the rooftop, the power his coven members had sent his way wrapping him in light and warmth. Brightly colored vines of magic coiled around him, encircling his body. He rose higher, and all he could see were the stars and moon above. Luna called to him, imbuing him with her power. He hovered above the coven, soaking in the moon's energy and moaning at the potency that filled him.

Tears fell, the intensity of the boon overwhelming his sleep-deprived mind and body. Slowly, he drifted back down, his toes touching the rooftop before the moon released him from its hold. The Solstice over, quiet settled over the rooftop. He wiped his face as he realized the magnitude of what they'd offered. He eyed them, his heart thankful for their boon.

"Thank you,"he whispered, struggling to hold back more tears.

Dee approached first, wrapping him in her warm embrace. If Cassius was the father of the coven, Dee was its mother. Gideon leaned into her, and soon, the rest of the coven had wrapped their arms around him, as well, offering their affection and support, just as their magic had enfolded itself around him moments before.

Their love was just as potent.

When they stepped back, he wiped a tear from his cheek, hating the show of weakness, yet grateful for all they'd shared.

"Succumbing to love is not weakness," Dee whispered, wiping his cheek with soft fingertips. "We've shown you our love. Accept it with your whole heart."

Gideon nodded, smiling, all while hating that she read him so easily. If she could, the others might as well. He closed his eyes a few seconds, willing himself to listen to her message and open himself to them.

The minute he closed them, visions of Hell filled his mind. The evil wrapped around his throat, choking him. He quickly opened his eyes and lifted a hand to his neck, rubbing it as the sensation passed. Cassius pressed a kiss to the top of his head and the others stepped back, giving him space. He forced another smile, unwilling to have his coven family think he did not appreciate their generosity and loving spirit.

He"d hoped the boon would've cleared that from his mind, but alas, it did not. He fought more tears, alone in the midst of those closest to him. Unwilling to ruin their celebration with tales of demons, torture, and Hell.

The party went full force after that, with eating, dancing, and frivolity. He found a quiet corner with a refilled cup of punch and sat to watch the revelry around him. Near sunrise, they all quieted, watching as the pinks, oranges, and golds painted the sky. The Solstice wasn't only focused on the moon, but the sun, as well. While it was the longest night of the year, it was also the promise that longer days were coming. The sun took over as it appeared, offering another small boost to their power. As soon as it appeared, Gideon felt the second wave of it. He smiled wanly, the sun warming some of the chill away, as it did them all.

Gideon looked around at his family. Luca, Colby, Ash, and Daniel in one corner, laughing at something together. Eli, Raymond, and Pierre cuddled together, watching the sun's rise. Cassius held Switch in his arms, looking down lovingly at his mate. Oz kissed his human mate, Theo. Even Phoenix seemed to be deep in conversation. With whom, he didn't know.

"Thisis the witch they replaced Mal with?"

Gideon looked to his side, shocked at the familiar voice with a faint hint of a Cuban accent. "Pedro? You're here?"

Pedro turned to eye him. "I am still a member of the coven, am I not?"

Pedro's mate, Malachi, had died several years before. Well, disappeared and presumed dead. Mal had been a member of the coven, one of the seven tattooists. He'd been there the longest after Cassius, already a powerful witch when Gideon had arrived. He'd been Cassius' best friend, and his loss had been felt deeply by all. Since his passing, Pedro had all but cut ties with the coven, spending every waking hour at his bar: No Witches Allowed.

It had been renamed right after Malachi's passing, a message to them all to back off. They had, out of respect, but the distance had felt like a mistake. As the years passed and Pedro remained distant, Gideon had only heard pieces from the shifters amongst them except for the rare appearance.

The bar had become a space where familiars and human mates could gather, but no witches could step foot inside thanks to wards protecting the building.

"Of course you're family… it's just…"

"It's been a while, I know," Pedro murmured, eyeing Nix again. "Does he talk to himself often, this witch who took my mate's place?"

Gideon glanced over to where Phoenix was having a rapid conversation with the wall. "I've caught him talking to thin air on several occasions. Cassius swears he's fine, but I occasionally have my doubts." Gideon glanced at Pedro. "Is that why you're here? To see this witch we dared replace Malachi with?"

Pedro gave him a chilled glance, hackles rising, but he said nothing.

"Malachi isn't replaceable. Just so you know."

Pedro's shoulders lowered some. "No. He's not." He sipped warm cider from a mug, his gaze locked on Phoenix.

"Perhaps he's using his magic to talk to a long-distance loved one—he is still rather new here and might've left someone behind when he came. It's not like he's shared much about himself, so what do I know?" The cold loneliness crept through Gideon again, never far from the surface. "Nearly everyone here has someone to call their own. Why not him?"

Why not me? It was in those moments of family where he often felt the loneliest for some reason. Seeing them happy, together… loved.

"You and I are in the same boat." Pedro smiled. "The odd men out. Maybe that's why I was compelled to come over and say hello." He chuckled. "Or maybe to tell you that your day is coming."

Gideon's gaze flicked to Pedro's. "What?"

"You'll meet your mates, and these quiet moments of melancholy will be forgotten." Pedro chuckled, but there was no mirth in it. He glanced at Gideon. "It has to happen eventually, right?"

"Who knows. Fate can be a bitch."

Pedro scoffed. "Yes." He drained his mug. "A bitch indeed."

"We miss you around here, you know?"

Pedro smiled wanly. "Sometimes, I miss it here, too… but there are too many memories. Good and bad. But it was time to come and bid it adieu."

"Bid it adieu?"Gideon frowned. "Why do I get a sense of finality to that?"

"I'm selling the bar and leaving Salem."

"You're leaving?"Gideon winced. "Though… I guess I understand the desire. It can't be easy." He sighed. "It might've been easier if you'd lifted those damned wards that keep us out. You hardly ever leave the bar, and we can't get in to check on you."

"Well, that was the point. I didn't want you all to check in on me. I needed peace and quiet."

"In a bar? Peace and quiet… sure."

"You know what I mean. You all like to pry and get into the coven's business. I needed to move on with my life, but it's become apparent that I can't do that here. The memories are just too strong. When Mal?—"

"What about Mal?" Oracio asked with a hint of his Spanish accent as he sauntered passed. He sidled up on Gideon's other side. "What's going on?"

"I was just talking about losing my mate," Pedro murmured. He eyed Gideon. "I think I'll go get a refill." He offered a curt nod at Oracio and left them.

"That shifter does not like me," Oracio said once Pedro was out of earshot. "I don't know why."

Gideon snorted. "Maybe it has something to do with the fact you had a crush on Malachi?"

"I did not."

They'd all seen the way Oracio had looked at Malachi. The tender glances. The flirtatious smiles. Oracio had adored Malachi, and it had been obvious to everyone.

"Even if I had, it's not like two witches could be together. I would never pursue him."

"They can be together," Gideon replied, wondering if Oracio had thought about it in depth to come up with that answer so quickly. "Just not long term." Witches didn't have other witches as mates. It just didn't happen.

"Well, if Pedro thinks I fucked his mate, he can let that go. I never touched Malachi."

"Be nice,"Gideon snapped at Oracio.

"We all lost Mal," Oracio murmured. "Not just Pedro. Mal was my friend. My mentor…"

Gideon sensed the pain Oracio felt. "I realize he was special to you, Race, but he was even more special to Pedro, so try not the be a dick about it."

"A dick?"Anger flashed in Oracio's eyes before he visibly shifted gears. He chuckled and draped one arm over Gideon's shoulder. "From what I hear, you've been getting plenty of dick lately, now haven't you?"

"Are you slut shaming me?" Gideon fought the smile rising to his lips.

"Of course not."Oracio crooned. "But after this boon, perhaps you give that hole of yours a rest? It needs it. I can hear it crying for mercy as we speak."

Gideon clicked his tongue. "Lies." He was sore, but the hell if he'd tell Oracio that.

"Maybe Luca can give you a tatt that keeps that orifice in tip-top shape and ready to be plowed at any given moment. A self-lubricating boy-twat. That's what you need."

Gideon opened his mouth to snap back at the use of boy-twat but paused. "That's actually not a bad idea. I wonder if he could? A self-lubing hole. That would save a lot of time."

"I got one that gets me hard at the snap of my fingers, so I don't see why not."

"If you can't get it up without that, you're in far more trouble than I am in the bedroom, Race."

Oracio laughed again, his perfect, white teeth peeking out. "When we're absolutely exhausted and in need of some sexual healing, sometimes it's difficult to get… ready… if you catch my drift. You bottoms have it a wee bit easier. You just spread your cheeks."

"We do a hell of a lot more than that."

"Oh?"

Gideon didn't have to watch what he ate or prepare like humans did, but he knew the problems they endured. "If they're human, they have to jump through many, many hoops before they spread those cheeks. Most avoid certain foods. Many don't eat much at all, in fact, which isn't great. They can, if they're careful, but anyway… they have to do a lot of preparation and exercising to maintain a healthy bootie."

"But you're not human."

Gideon grinned. "Nope. I can eat what I want and need no prep."

"You spread your cheeks."

"Yes, I spread my cheeks," Gideon said, grinning madly. "But know that those human twinks you're so fond of have done a lot to be… ready… for you to snap your fingers, my dear Race."

"Touché," Oracio said. He squeezed Gideon's shoulder. "What are your plans for the rest of the day?"

"Sleep?"

Oracio frowned. "After that recharge? You should be flying high."

Gideon could still sense the drain on his powers, even with the boon. "Conservation. I need to hold on to what I have."

"Well, I think I'll go find one of those twinks I'm so fond of and celebrate the holiday properly." Oracio lowered his arm. "Maybe two to make up for your sleepy ass."

"First you tell me to lay off the fucking and then give me shit for going to bed alone? Pick an argument, bub." He smiled, seeing humor fill Oracio's handsome features. "Plus, there's no rule that says we have to have sex on the Solstice."

Oracio winked seductively, full of Latin machismo. "No, but why buck tradition?"

Gideon knew Mr. Tall, Dark, and Utterly Gorgeous would have no problem getting a partner or two into his bed, if not more. Oracio departed, walking backward with a wide, sexy grin. Gideon chuckled, shaking his head. Once he was out of sight, Gideon noticed a few other mated pairs and trios headed for the elevator and stairs, likely to do the same as Oracio—spend the day in bed, shaking the walls with their screams of delight.

When he was the last man standing, Gideon lifted his gaze to the rising sun and closed his eyes, basking in the warmth. Yet nothing would fight back the chill of the darkness within. He soon departed as well, and slipped into bed.

Achingly alone.

Two daysuntil Christmas and Joaquin was in a festive mood. While most shifters observed Yule, and in his heart, he did, he'd been fostered by humans, and Esau himself celebrated the season, so he'd come to enjoy it. Yule and Christmas shared many similarities, which made it easier. What didn't make it easier was living in a hotel for the holiday. Fortunately, they'd found an extended-stay type just outside of Boston proper with a small kitchenette, allowing them to cook some of their meals.

It wasn't home, but it was as close as they could come.

He checked the dish roasting in the oven before grabbing a couple of clean plates and moving them to the folding table he'd set up across the room. He wished they had something better than a cheap card table and foldup chairs to share their festive meal, but it's all he could come up with at the last minute.

While it only took days to cross the country by car, they'd taken their time. Instead of making a beeline for Boston, they'd taken a longer route to ensure they wouldn't be easy to follow. Along the way, they'd circled back here and there, just to be sure they weren't being tailed. Once they believed the coast was clear, they made their way to their new hometown. A few days travel had turned into almost two weeks.

Esau had lucked out, finding a position as a lead CSI investigator open in Boston—just as his abuela had predicted. They'd only had one full day in their new city to explore before he started his new job, leaving Joaquin to wrap up the coding project he was well over deadline on.

Once he'd sent the last corrections to his client, he'd rushed to a local big-box chain and bought a few necessities. They'd left nearly everything behind in San Diego, only grabbing the bare essentials before abandoning the city. They had a couple changes of clothing, a few personal effects, and Joaquin's work computers.

He'd walked out of the store with a truckload of shit, along with some grocery essentials, too. Once he'd carried his new purchases to the room, he'd found a tienda in town and bought the extra necessary ingredients for their feast.

A sound at the door signaled Esau's return, just as Joaquin put the finishing touches on the table. Smiling, he rushed over and yanked the door open. Esau stood on the other side, wearing a confused smile.

"What's up?"

"Welcome home."

Esau snickered. "What are you so excited ab—" he paused, inhaling. He let out a moan. "What's that smell?"

Joaquin dragged him inside and slammed the door. He shoved his mate against the back of it and stole a kiss. "It's almost Christmas. We might be stuck in a hotel room, but I wanted it to feel a little more like home."

Esau grinned. "Doesn't matter where we are. As long as we're together. That's home."

"I know, but…" He leaned in close, pressing the tip of his nose to Esau's. "It's a holiday. I know how much you enjoy Christmas."

"It smells like Christmas, that's for sure." Esau looked past Joaquin to the table spread out. "Look at you, being all domestic and shit."

"Don't make me regret this," Joaquin spat, fighting a smile as he backed up. He spread his arms wide. "Happy Holidays."

Esau scanned the new additions to the room, a bemused smile tugging at his lips. Besides the card table and folding chairs, Joaquin had added a small three-foot Christmas tree with a few colorful baubles adorning it—along with a couple of wrapped presents underneath.

"It's beautiful, babe," Esau turned toward the kitchen. "I'm even more interested in what's cooking."

"I found a tienda in town. They had tamales for sale. Considering the line to pick them up, I'd say they're decent, but we'll see. Not sure how these northerners do with south of the border." He crossed to the kitchen and waved a hand. "I've also got birria in the oven, rice and beans on the stove, and I made ponche, too. There's enough food to keep us fed for a few days. And the fridge is packed with more." He lifted his hands and shoulders. "And while it's not traditional for us, I stopped in Little Italy and got a box of your favorite treats, too."

Esau moved closer and wrapped his arms around Joaquin's waist. "Sounds like you've got things covered."

"That I do."

Esau leaned in for another kiss, curling Joaquin's toes. When he leaned back and looked down, Esau grinned wickedly. "How long before dinner?"

"Not too much longer," Joaquin murmured.

"Enough time to… have a little fun?" Esau asked before glancing at the big king-sized bed across the room and back to Joaquin, brows wagging.

"Of course there's time," Joaquin replied, sliding a hand down Esau's chest. When he reached his mate's burgeoning cock underneath the boring work khakis Esau wore, he grinned. "Is this for me… or excitement for the food to come?"

"Both?"Esau asked before nodding. He grinned broadly. "Yes, both."

Joaquin barked with laughter. He backed Esau up until they collapsed in the big bed together. Clothes flew off in a flurry until they were both naked and writhing against one another. He laid kisses from Esau's lips, slowly burning a trail lower, until he reached his mate's throbbing shaft. Esau's back arched the second Joaquin caressed the tip, the flesh of his feline tongue rough against his mate's sensitive glans. While it wasn't as harsh as when he was in full cat-form, the surface was never as smooth as a human's either.

Just coarse enough to send his mate to the moon.

He swallowed Esau whole, engulfing the swollen length. Esau's hands twisted in his short locks, whimpering, begging to come with every lash of Joaquin's tongue. When he finally did, Joaquin lapped it up, purring as he swallowed every drop.

Resting on his haunches, he smiled down at his mate, gasping for air after being shattered. He leapt from the bed, grabbed a bag from the nightstand, and paused at the edge of the bed. He gazed down at Esau, caught in the afterglow, and smiled. "Be right back, baby."

He saw the hint of sadness in Esau's eyes and hated to leave him—yet had to for his own sanity. He slipped into the adjoining bath and closed the door. After pulling the necessary items from his bag, he dragged on his O-Jock and positioned his strapless strap-on before sliding the external shaft through the opening in the front of the jock. He glanced in the mirror, smiling at what he saw. A body that more closely matched how he envisioned himself.

Snatching the bottle of lube from the bag, he prepared himself for what came next. When he returned to the bed, Esau rested on his elbows, watching, a hint of a smile on his lips.

Joaquin palmed his cock, wrapping his fingers around the shaft and coating it with another layer of lube. "You ready to be fucked, baby?"

Esau's smile grew before he rolled onto his tummy and lifted his ass for inspection. Joaquin knelt, the surface of the mattress dipping under his weight, and inspected Esau's pink puckering hole. His mate clenched, the hole clenching tight before opening back up for him. Once he'd added more lube to his fingers, he coated the tender flesh, working a finger in deep.

Esau moaned at the intrusion, his hips swaying as he slid forward and back down onto the digit. Joaquin added another finger, spreading his mate open wider in preparation for what was to come. After a few more minutes of stretches, he rose on his knees and brought the head of his cock level and pressed against the entrance.

"Ready for me, babe?"

Esau didn't answer. He pressed back onto Joaquin's cock, taking in a couple of inches while moaning his delight. Joaquin grinned, enjoying Esau's pleasure. He leaned back, allowing Esau to take more of his cock, an inch or two at a time, until he was seated deep inside his mate.

"How's that?" Joaquin whispered gruffly, lifting a hand to Esau's hip.

"Sooogood," Esau mewled, back arching as he pulled off Joaquin's cock.

Joaquin thrust forward as Esau slid back down, earning a gasp from his mate. He took over at that point, fucking Esau with every ounce of strength in him. Wrapping a hand around his human's neck, he pounded deep, delighting in the grunts, groans, and moans pouring from Esau's lips. Using his free hand, he reached around and took Esau by the root again, the shaft still hard. He pumped his hand in time to his thrusts, commanding his human's body.

Esau tapped his thigh, signaling he needed a break. Joaquin slowed, sliding mostly out of his mate's body, and released his hold. Esau climbed off his cock before flipping over and lifting his legs, presenting his hole once more.

Joaquin growled with pleasure. After pouring more lube into his mate's hole, he mounted Esau, sinking deep. His human whimpered, the sound sending his inner predator spiraling. Once again, he grabbed Esau's throat, steadying himself for the wild pounding he gave his mate.

Esau met his gaze, captured in it, as he moaned with every thrust of Joaquin's dick. He worked his own hand over his shaft, the movement a blur as he helped send himself over the edge once more. Esau came, screaming Joaquin's name over and over.

Seeing his human's pleasure was all Joaquin needed to reach the point of no return. The strap-on provided friction, but it was Esau's delight that shattered him. His back arched, a grunt tore from his lips, and he pulsed forward, coming hard. He thrust a few more times, allowing the orgasm to crash through him before all but collapsing on top of his mate.

Once he'd had a few seconds to come back down to earth and breathe a bit, he slowly slid from Esau's body and rolled to his back. Esau curled up against him, smiling. "How was that?"

Joaquin laughed. "Isn't that my line?"

"I think you and everyone else on this floor heard just how good it was for me." Esau rolled up on one elbow. "But you're always so damned quiet when you come. I worry it's not as good for you."

"It was good. I came. Sorry I'm not a moaner like you are."

Esau's head cocked. "Do you have a problem with me being a moaner?"

"Hell, no,"Joaquin snapped, grinning. "I love hearing how hot and bothered you get. It turns me on, baby." He leaned up, capturing a kiss. "I get off seeing you get off. Knowing I've pleased my mate is hot as fuck."

Esau's lips curled up, the slow smile growing wide with hazy satisfaction.

Joaquin kissed those smiling lips before rolling out of bed and cleaning off his cock and hands. Once everything was tucked away in the bag, he walked out of the adjoining bathroom with a warm, clean washcloth in hand.

"What a gentleman," Esau whispered as Joaquin wiped the lube away.

"I have to take care of my baby," Joaquin murmured, gazed locked with Esau's. His chest tightened with adoration for his mate. How he'd gotten so lucky, he did not know.

His life had surely not been blessed prior to. He tossed the washcloth into the bathroom and slipped into bed with Esau, cuddling close.

The oven timer rang out a short time later, shattering their quiet contentment. Joaquin jumped from the bed, dragged on his briefs, washed his hands in the kitchenette's sink, and hit the timer in quick succession. When he pulled the beef birria out of the oven, the scent nearly had him coming again.

"Damnthat smells good," Esau said, pulling on his briefs.

Joaquin pulled out the surprise casserole filled with mac and cheese he'd not mentioned, and Esau groaned.

"You were holding out on me."

"It can't be a holiday without mac and cheese. I'm sure even your Mexican abuela had that shit on her table. Mine did."

Esau laughed. "She did—after her daughter married my dad. She called it the gringo's food."

"Did he not eat anything else?"

"Oh, he did. He loved Abuelita's cooking, but he mentioned his mother's mac and cheese and how he missed it one year soon after they'd married, so he got it the next Christmas and every single one after." Esau's smile faded. "I miss them."

"I know," Joaquin whispered. "I'm sorry I brought it up."

"No. It's the holidays. A time when memories of family come up, bidden or otherwise," Esau murmured. "It's nice remembering the good times and not the…" Esau's jaw tightened, and Joaquin knew what his mate felt. "Not the other stuff."

They'd both witnessed their families die at the hands of demons. Joaquin had had nightmares for years, reliving the images. They'd only slowed when he'd started plotting his vengeance against the very beings responsible. He didn't know if he'd gotten the exact demons who'd been to blame, but he'd taken down hundreds, hoping some had been amid those who had his family's blood on their hands.

"Well, wash up and let's have dinner, hmm? We can toast our familia with a cup of my ponche."

Esau smiled. "Yeah." He leaned in for a kiss before heading to the bathroom to wash his hands.

Joaquin pulled his pants back on and returned to the stove to carry food to the table. By the last dish, the table wobbled slightly under the weight. Hopefully it would hold up and make it through dinner.

Esau came out of the bathroom, redressed and smiling. He sat across from Joaquin and lifted his cup of ponche. "Por nuestra familia. Salud."

Joaquin pressed his cup to Esau's. "Saludos."

Esau drained his cup. "Mmmm… delicioso, mi amor."

Joaquin sat back, enjoying his mate's smile. Love filled his heart. "Gracias."

As they enjoyed their meal, Joaquin's mind returned to thoughts of family. Weeks without serving more justice had worn on him, his inner animal roaring to return to the hunt. He shoved the thought aside, knowing it was too dangerous to return to their old ways yet.

In time, though… the roaring would become too much, and he'd break.

And he'd hunt, regardless.

If they were still alive, that was.