Chapter 14 Thorne
Chapter fourteen
Thorne
“You need to calm down,” Dimitri says, chuckling. “If this is what a fated mate does to your lion, I think my wolf and I are good.”
I roll my eyes. “Yeah, yeah. Just wait until you meet yours, then,” I grumble. “Your wolf is more temperamental than my lion.”
“Thorne, love. Settle down. Come back over to the kitchen and help me place the dishes on the table,” Papa says, and I follow him.
Why did I let my omega papa convince me to have a big post-Christmas dinner with everyone?
It’s only been two weeks since I saw Hayden, but my family doesn’t feel complete without my mate by my side.
My lion roars, agreeing. Hayden and I have spent the last two weeks video calling and texting so often, it should feel like he’s here with me, but it’s so difficult not being able to wrap him in my arms or kiss his temple.
I miss the way my mate melts into my embrace, and the way his intoxicating scent comforts me every time I inhale.
“I can’t take it anymore! My lion is getting restless.” I check my watch. “It’s only 4 PM. If I leave now, I can go and surprise my omega,” I say, determination filling my voice.
“Now, hold on just a minute, son.” My alpha dad claps a strong hand on my shoulder, causing me to wince.
Just because he stepped down as alpha of the Pride doesn’t mean he’s old by any means.
As a lion shifter, he’s still in his prime.
“Your papa slaved away making you a damn buffet. You’re going to sit down with us and your brother and enjoy it.
Then, if it isn’t too late, you can go see your mate. ”
My lion growls, and I huff. ‘Everyone is treating us like we are adolescents,’ my lion says.
‘Well, maybe stop making me act like one.’ I quip back. Goddess, why did I let my mate agree to a whole damn month apart?
Just then, Papa’s phone vibrates on the kitchen counter. He reaches for it and reads something that makes him smile. Then, to my shock, he winks at my alpha dad. I sigh. I really don’t want to even guess what they are up to, like I said, still in their primes.
“It’s alright, Thorne,” Papa says. If you feel like you need to go after your mate, then go ahead.
I eye the large buffet on the table and kitchen counters suspiciously. “Are you sure, Papa?”
Dimitri barks out a laugh. “Oh, now you’re hesitating?”
I narrow my eyes at him, but he’s already walking away. Deciding I’ve had enough, I grab my wallet and keys and make my way to the front door. As soon as I yank it open, my jaw falls slack with shock. Standing there, getting ready to knock, is my beautiful mate.
He’s absolutely gorgeous, even in a large puffy coat. His hair seems slightly longer and a little shinier, and even his skin seems to look like it’s glowing.
“Don’t just stand there, Thorne,” Papa says, rushing forward and inviting Hayden into my house. No, our house. This house is his now as much as it is mine.
Hayden glances down at the dirt and snow his boots just dragged in, and he pales. “Oh, I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to.”
I step forward to kiss my mate, but Papa blocks me, reaching for Hayden’s coat and helping him out of it before hanging the coat on a hook. “Nonsense, Hayden, it’s just a little dirt. We can clean it up.
Hayden turns around to face me, and I swear, for a moment, my whole world freezes.
My eyes drop to his slightly rounded stomach, my heart racing so fast, I’m afraid I’m going to pass out. Is Hayden… Is my mate…
“Surprise,” he says, giving me a shy smile. Gods, that smile. I missed that smile.
I crouch down on the floor, knees digging into the wet snow and dirt his boots left behind, not even caring that my expensive suit pants are getting ruined. I lean forward and sniff my mate’s stomach. Hayden giggles when his shirt lifts, and I lightly nuzzle my beard against his skin.
“You’re pregnant,” I breathe in awe. “And you’re going to have our cubs.”
His smile widens, and he nods eagerly. That is, until my words seem to hit him all at once. “Wait. Did you say cubs? As in plural?”
This time it’s my turn for my grin to grow. “Yes, my pretty mate. Cubs. As in more than one.”
I continue to nuzzle and sniff his stomach, my lion happily bathing in this new scent. Coffee, cookies, and fresh snow.
‘Mate. Cubs.’
Hayden giggles again, and I swear the sound is beautiful. “What are you doing, Alpha?”
“Letting my lion smell our cubs.”
My words cause Hayden to melt. He offers me a shy grin. I stand, pulling him into my arms. Tipping his chin up, I lean in and press our lips together. I kiss my mate for the first time in two weeks. As always, our kiss starts off a little tender before quickly turning passionate.
My omega papa begins clapping, right as my brother clears his throat. Hayden pulls away, looking embarrassed, with a sweet face that’s slightly flushed. Just then, his stomach growls loudly, as if wanting its presence known.
“Oh, Goddess,” he says, glancing back and forth between my parents. “By any chance, do either of you have maple syrup I can put on my turkey?”
My alpha dad laughs and shakes his head. “Of course, we prepared everything for you, son.”
My head whips up. They knew. They knew my mate would be here. My heart fills with warmth as I look at the buffet my parents prepared. That’s why they insisted on having this large post-Christmas dinner together today.
I lay my hand possessively on Hayden’s stomach, and my inner lion begins to purr. I press another quick kiss to Hayden’s lips, and when our eyes meet, I swear they’re sparkling.