Epilogue
Five months later
“Morning.” Connor kissed the hollow of Leyden’s throat, right above the claiming bite. Felt Leyden’s pulse jump beneath his lips.
“Hmm…morning.” Leyden’s hand slid down Connor’s spine, settled at the small of his back. “Did you sleep well?”
“I always do with you.” Connor traced the lines of muscle across Leyden’s chest and tweaked his mate’s nipple. His body stirred with interest, warmth pooling low in his belly. “How long until we need to be up?”
Leyden glanced at the clock. “About an hour and a half.”
“Good.” Connor shifted, straddled Leyden’s hips. Ground down deliberately. “Because I want you.”
Leyden’s pupils dilated, hands gripping Connor’s thighs.
“Yeah?”
“Yeah.” Connor leaned down, brushing his mate’s lips with his own. “Inside me. Now.”
They’d found their rhythm since their time in the cabin. Connor initiated when he recognized his desire had built enough to want the connection. Leyden never pushed, never assumed, always waited for Connor to say what he needed.
Connor reached for the lube on the nightstand – it was kept there permanently now. There was something deeply erotic about preparing himself, especially under Leyden’s hot gaze. For Connor it was an added form of foreplay.
“Tell me you’re ready.” Leyden’s voice came rough, strained.
“More than ready.” Connor coated Leyden’s cock with lube before positioning himself. As he felt Leyden’s cock breach his body, he gasped, using Leyden’s chest to steady himself as he slowly sunk down. “Gods, that feeling never gets old.”
They moved together, Connor riding Leyden hard, chasing the pleasure he knew waited. Leyden’s hands guided his hips, angled him just right until…
Connor cried out, nails digging into Leyden’s pecs. There. Right there.
“That’s it,” Leyden growled. “Take what you need.”
Connor moved faster, losing himself in the sensations. Through their bond, Leyden’s pleasure amplified his own, fed back and forth until Connor couldn’t separate where his pleasure ended and Leyden’s began. As he climaxed, it was as if the feelings were being echoed as Leyden hit his climax, too.
He collapsed forward, breathing hard against Leyden’s neck.
“Definitely a good morning,” Connor muttered.
Leyden laughed, the sound rumbling through his chest. “Best wake-up call I’ve ever had.”
“You say that every time I suggest this.”
“Because it’s true every time.” Leyden rolled them carefully, slipping free. He kissed Connor’s temple. “I’ll never get tired of you wanting me.”
Connor’s chest warmed. Leyden still looked at him like he’d hung the moon. Connor caught his reflection in Leyden’s eyes, recognized the same adoration staring back.
“Love you,” Connor said simply.
“Love you too.”
They showered together, which Connor had finally learned to tolerate around month three. Now he actually enjoyed it. Simple things like Leyden washing his back, the casual intimacy of sharing space.
“It’s a big day today,” Leyden said, lathering shampoo through Connor’s hair. “Six months as alpha mate.”
“The pack’s planning something, aren’t they?” Connor rinsed and turned to face his mate. “Janet’s been suspiciously busy all week.”
“There might be an anniversary celebration.” Leyden grinned, unrepentant. “It might involve your favorite cake.”
Connor rolled his eyes but smiled. The pack had accepted him completely now, sought his counsel on everything from security to relationship advice.
Young Sam stopped by weekly, more confident in himself with each visit.
Other wolves on the asexual spectrum had started reaching out too from other packs, finding community and understanding.
Connor had found his purpose - a true sense of belonging. More than he’d ever had with Davis’s pack.
They dressed in matching dark slacks and button-downs, ready for whatever celebration Janet and the others had planned. Connor adjusted his collar, caught Leyden watching him in the mirror.
“What?”
“Just thinking how far we’ve come.” Leyden stepped behind him, wrapped arms around Connor’s waist. “Six months ago, you could barely stand being touched. Now look at you.”
Connor leaned back against Leyden’s chest. Solid and warm and exactly where he belonged.
“I’m still not interested in sex every day,” Connor pointed out.
Their current rhythm - two, maybe three times a week - worked for them.
Sometimes Connor initiated, occasionally Leyden would ask.
It was always satisfying, from Connor’s perspective because of the deep emotional connection underneath. “Never will be.”
“Don’t want you to be.” Leyden kissed his temple. “I want you exactly as you are.”
“Let’s see if you still say that after you’ve subjected me to an all-day party.”
/~/~/~/~/
The pack hall buzzed with activity when Leyden and Connor arrived. Streamers in pack colors - deep green and silver - hung from the rafters. Tables lined the walls, already loaded with food. Janet directed a team of wolves arranging chairs while Marcus tested the sound system.
“Alpha! Alpha Mate!” Walter waved from across the room, grinning wide. “Everything’s almost ready.”
Connor squeezed Leyden’s hand before heading toward Janet. Leyden watched his mate go, still marveling at Connor’s confidence. Connor had always been a confident man, but now he knew he was accepted, and it showed in the way he walked and smiled as people greeted him.
“Quite the turnout.” Matthew appeared at Leyden’s elbow, arms crossed as he surveyed the preparations. “Haven’t seen the pack this excited since the summer festival.”
“They’re happy for Connor.” Leyden tracked his mate across the room, watched pack members greet him with genuine warmth. “They’ve finally accepted him completely.”
“More than accepted.” Matthew’s expression turned serious. “The pack’s stronger now. More unified. I noticed the difference within weeks of Connor taking his position.”
Leyden glanced at his former beta. “How so?”
“Security’s tighter than it’s ever been.” Matthew gestured toward the enforcers setting up equipment. “Janet and Marcus follow his orders without hesitation. Respect him. The new recruits worship him.”
That was true. The wolves who made it through Connor’s screening were loyal, capable, and utterly devoted to their alpha mate.
“Our territory’s secure,” Matthew continued. “The trade agreements with Davis’s pack and the others have strengthened. We’re prospering in ways we haven’t in years.” He paused. “But the biggest change? Pack culture.”
“What do you mean?”
“Connor’s acceptance of Sam in particular - about wolves who experience attraction differently - changed things.
” Matthew’s voice carried quiet respect.
“Pack members started questioning their assumptions. Became more accepting. More open to diversity.” He met Leyden’s eyes.
“You chose well. Connor’s exactly the alpha mate this pack needed. ”
Warmth spread through Leyden’s chest. “He’s more than I ever hoped for.”
“Shows in everything you do together.” Matthew clapped Leyden’s shoulder. “I’ll go and double check the sound system. Make sure it doesn’t cut out during your speech.”
Leyden wandered through the preparations, greeting pack members. Sarah showed him the cake - chocolate with raspberry filling, Connor’s favorite. Marcus demonstrated the new photo slideshow, images of Connor’s first six months as alpha mate cycling across the screen.
“Alpha Leyden!” Sam’s voice cut through the noise. The young wolf hurried over, practically vibrating with excitement. A slender man with sandy hair and warm brown eyes followed close behind. “I wanted you to meet someone.”
“This is Tyler.” Sam beamed, slipping his hand into his companion’s. “My boyfriend.”
Tyler ducked his head, shy but smiling. “Honor to meet you, Alpha. Sam talks about you and Alpha Mate Connor constantly.”
“Tyler’s from a neighboring pack,” Sam explained. “We met at the regional gathering last month. He’s...” Sam’s expression turned soft, adoring. “He’s patient. Understanding. Doesn’t pressure me about anything.”
“Sam’s worth waiting for.” Tyler squeezed his boyfriend’s hand. “However long it takes.”
Leyden’s chest tightened, remembering similar conversations with Connor. “I’m so glad you found each other.”
“I never would’ve had the courage to tell Tyler about being demisexual without Connor.” Sam’s eyes shone. “The alpha mate showed me it’s okay to be different. That the right person will accept me exactly as I am.” The kid’s voice cracked. “Changed my life.”
Pride surged through Leyden. His mate had done that - given a frightened teenager hope and confidence. Connor’s influence rippled through the pack in ways Leyden couldn’t have predicted, touching lives and changing hearts.
“Connor will be thrilled to hear that,” Leyden said. “Go enjoy the celebration. You two earned it.”
Sam and Tyler wandered off hand-in-hand. Leyden tracked them across the room, watched Sam introduce his boyfriend to some of his friends. He was totally confident in doing so all because Connor chose to share who he was.
“Leyden!”
His mother’s voice cut through his thoughts. Catherine swept into the pack hall like she owned it, Sebastian trailing behind looking uncomfortable in his suit. Leyden’s father had aged in the past months - more gray at his temples, deeper lines around his eyes.
Catherine embraced Leyden fiercely. “Look at this place. Your pack really outdid themselves.”
“They love Connor.” Leyden returned the hug. “Wanted to celebrate him properly.”
Sebastian cleared his throat and shifted his weight from one foot to the other. “Son, could we talk? Privately?”
Leyden’s stomach tightened, but he nodded. Led his father to the small office off the main hall. Sebastian closed the door, stood there looking everywhere but at Leyden.