Chapter Thirteen
Graham had opened the door to the bedroom quietly in case his mate and pup were sleeping. The moment he saw the fraught discussion between Tripp and Blake, he’d nearly bolted in an unconscionable act of cowardice. His bravery didn’t have time to be tested, however. The two servients had seen him immediately and the sigma had taken the chance to make his escape. That left Graham with a furious omega. He was about to have another serious discussio n with his mate.
He bought himself a reprieve by indulging in half the reason he’d taken time out of his day to visit his family. His daughter lured him to the side of the cradle simply by being irresistibly adorable. He crouched beside her and simply stared. She lay bundled in the blanket her father had made for her, bow-shaped lips moving as if she dreamed of nursing, her downy fair hair sticking up in short tufts. Her cheeks were plump like little apples, testament to how well-fed she was. His finger itched to slide down her soft skin. Touching might wake her so he had to be satisfied with looking only. His wolf howled in unbridled pride and joy at the sight. Tripp’s wolf responded with equal glee, but that didn’t change the fact that Tripp, himself, was glowering at him.
Graham warded off the imminent attack by addressing the obvious topic of discussion to the boy, who was understandably upset. “It was Blake’s idea.” He kept his voice low so as not to disturb Grace and switched his gaze to his mate. “No one pressured him to leave.”
Tripp pouted, unaware as usual how provocatively sexy he could be with a single expression. “I hadn’t thought that. Mostly. I bet no one tried to talk him out of it, though.”
“That’s not true.” Graham rose and joined his mate on the bed. He took one of Tripp’s hands and held firm when the boy tried to snatch it back. “I did. Elijah reassured him he was welcome to stay, that the Green Mountain Pack would defend him if trouble came. To his credit, Blake wasn’t willing to take the chance.”
“So, you’d rather my sire go after the Rogue Pack?”
Graham schooled himself to be patient. Tripp’s accusation wasn’t unfair. “It’s hard to explain about the Rogues.”
“Try. Maybe my stupid omega brain, already taxed with having to care for our pup, might manage to understand.” The boy tossed his head and glared.
“ Tripp . You’re being rude and disrespectful. If you want me to spell out how this decision was made, you have to calm down.” He didn’t like being stern with his mate, but when it came to his brother, Tripp understandably let his emotions get the better of him.
The omega dropped his gaze. “Sorry. It’s just that I thought everything was fixed now, that I could finally relax and be happy.”
It was the tear sliding down the boy’s cheek that got to him.
Graham pulled him onto his lap. “Oh, baby. It’s okay. Everything is fine.”
Tripp snuggled into his hold. “It’s not, though. I want Blake living with us.”
“I know. But here’s the thing—and Blake really did think of this on his own—we live closer to humans than most. It was easy for Blake to find us because we don’t seclude ourselves deep in the forest, hidden as our kind has been since the dawn of time. If your sire decides to attack rather than trade, it would be a big fight and one that could easily be noticed by the humans. That would be really bad—for our entire species. From everything I’ve heard, I don’t think that’s the sort of thing your sire would consider.”
“You’re right and I know the why of it. Blake explained that already.” Tripp sniffled, then sighed. “I still don’t understand how the Rogue Pack would be better at handling an attack.”
Graham couldn’t help chuckling. “You’d have to see Alpha Lorcan to fully get it. He is one scary shifter. I mean, Elijah is no one to mess with, but he can be underestimated with his laid back demeaner. It’s perfect when he’s among humans. They’re relaxed around him because they can’t see the dangerous beast within. Shifters can also be fooled by his packaging, and dismiss him as weak. That’s especially true when he tries to use persuasion instead of brute strength to solve a problem.”
Tripp sniffed again. “That’s ridiculous. Any of our kind with half a brain can recognize the alpha that he is.”
“Yeah? And how would you describe Garth’s perceptiveness? Or your sire’s, for that matter?”
“Right. My sire and his dominants always prefer to use teeth and claws instead of words.” Pulling away, Tripp gazed at him. “I guess you’re saying Alpha Lorcan has a better chance of triggering the survival instinct of my old pack members.”
Graham nodded. “And if not, his packlands are secluded enough that he can dispatch them without causing any human to notice. Of course, we’ll come to his aid if he asks. Elijah isn’t dumping his problem onto another alpha.”
Wrapping his arm around Graham’s neck, Tripp buried his face into his shoulder. “I can’t stand the idea of not seeing Blake again once he leaves, or our pups never getting to know the wonderful shifter he is. Can we visit him sometimes?”
Graham hated to disappoint his mate. “No, sweetheart. I won’t endanger you or our pups by making that journey. But he can come here after we’re sure the danger has passed. And for all his primitive nature, Lorcan is also a modern guy. He has a phone. You can video chat with Blake once a week if you like.”
“Really?”
“Of course. I want you to be happy, Tripp. Whatever I can do to make that happen while still keeping you safe, I will.”
This time when the omega pulled away, he followed it up with a kiss. “Thank you. And I’m sorry I was so rude before.”
“It’s okay.” Graham brushed some strands of hair away from his mate’s face. “I want you to ask me questions and I want to talk things out with you whenever you need me to. Just be respectful and I promise I will be, too.”
Tripp nodded. Before either of them could say more, Grace let out a squeak that they already recognized as the prelude to a full-throated cry.
Tripp slid off his lap and bent to lift the pup out of her cradle. He settled against the headboard and lifted his shirt to nurse her. She latched on with a ferocity that made the beta proud.
Graham looked on with such love, he thought his heart might burst. “I adore watching you feed our pup. I could watch you all day. There’s work to be done, though. This was supposed to be a quick visit.”
When he started to rise, his mate held out a hand.
“Stay a little while longer. Please?”
Unable to deny his fated mate anything, he sat again and allowed himself to simply enjoy.
****
“What do you think?” Graham held his breath as Tripp walked around the main room of their new home.
His mate cradled Grace in a sling against his chest as he took in everything. “It’s wonderful! Is this really all ours?” He turned wide eyes on Graham. “It’s so big. We can fit a small pack of our own in it.”
Graham grinned ear-to-ear. “This isn’t all of it.” He gestured toward the two rooms in the back. “There’s more. Come and see.” He held out his hand and tugged his mate toward the first one.
Throwing open the door, he waved inside. “This can be a storage and craft room for now, but it will be a good bedroom for Grace when she’s old enough. And a few more pups can easily follow her inside when the time comes.” His groin tightened at the mere mention of siring more pups because it meant mounting his mate again. It had been a few weeks and he was struggling with the abstinence.
Before Tripp could utter any words to go with his expression of amazement, Graham brought him over to the other room. As he opened the door, he pulled his mate fully into it.
“Our bed!” Tripp broke free and raced over to sit on the edge of the one piece of furniture that had been put into their new home. He bounced once. “You had it brought here.”
“Sure.” Graham wandered over, pushing aside the thoughts that popped into his head at the sight of his mate right where he wanted him. “We can sleep here tonight. My father will see that the rest of our stuff is brought here before supper and we’ll fill the gaps of what we need with bits and pieces that the pack isn’t using. We’ll get more of our own furniture soon. I promise.”
His mate rewarded him with a wide smile. “It’s perfect. I never dreamt of having a private place of my own. You’ve given me everything my heart desires and more. I love you.” His adorable cheeks pinked at that last statement and he turned his attention to the still sleeping Grace.
Arousal kicked Graham in the balls even as his own heart swelled with emotion. Waiting for night to come to reclaim his mate was suddenly too far in the future. He went to Tripp and carefully raised the sling over the boy’s head. Their pup stirred, pursing her lips and scrunching her face a moment before settling down again. He cradled her with great care and placed a kiss on her downy head. He hadn’t quite lost the irrational fear that he would drop her, but determination to snatch some alone time with his mate gave him confidence.
“I’ll be right back, sweetheart. Don’t move an inch.”
A startled look on Tripp’s face morphed into a coquettish one. “Whatever you say, Graham.”
Graham strode out of the house and over to the nearby one that belonged to his parents. He found his mother knitting by the fireplace.
He held out Grace to her. “Can you watch her please, for a little while?”
Putting down her knitting, his mother plucked Grace from his arms with the deftness of an experienced mother. “You know I’m happy to, anytime and for as long as you need.” She smiled at her grandpup. “How does Tripp like his new home? I hear you had the bed brought in, at least.”
The knowing tone in her voice caused Graham to blush, something he never did. Damn, and his dick was fighting against his effort to stay under control.
He backed away. “He loves it. We’re going to…ah, measure for drapes. And stuff.” Wincing at his awkwardness, he turned and bolted.
Tripp was right where he’d left him. Or nearly so. Instead of sitting on the edge of the bed, the omega was lying on it, his head propped against a couple of pillows. He looked young and innocent and yet totally wanton at the same time. The sight of what belonged to him made Graham’s entire body tighten. His breathing became more labored and his wolf rose to howl. The answering yip from Tripp’s kicked the arousal up to a painful notch. If he didn’t mount his mate soon, he feared he’d explode.
But he was more than just his base needs. His mate had whelped only a few weeks ago. He needed to take things slowly and carefully. Remnants of his old life still made Tripp susceptible to wanting to please Graham more than care for himself. The omega might not even understand the trauma whelping could inflict on his body. When asked, Cora had assured Graham that mounting was safe now. He wasn’t going to take any chances, however. Besides, there were other ways to pleasure them both. And with the pup safely elsewhere, Tripp might be able to focus better on strengthening their bond.
Graham sat next to Tripp’s hip and placed his hand on the boy’s thigh. “My mother is watching Grace for as long as we need her to.”
Tripp lowered his eyelids to a sultry degree. “Our pup won’t need feeding for a few more hours yet. It’s been so long since we’ve been alone.” He ran his tongue along his lower lip. “Do you want me?”
Graham barked out a laugh. “Always, baby. Desperately so.” He slid his hand up to cup the obvious bulge beneath Tripp’s cotton pants. “You want me, too.” He pressed his thumb into his mate’s balls and was rewarded with a low moan.
“You can tell I do.” He placed his hand over Graham’s and pressed down. “I didn’t for days after I whelped. Everything was sore and I was exhausted all the time. I worried I’d changed and wouldn’t enjoy sex anymore.”
“Oh, sweetheart. I’m sure that was a normal concern. Your body needed time to recover the same way mine would if I’d fought with another shifter.”
“Huh. I figured dominants crave sex no matter what.”
Graham couldn’t help puffing with pride at the implied compliment of his virility. “That’s mostly true. But everyone’s body has its limits, and yours is more delicate than mine. I don’t want to hurt you.”
“You won’t. I feel great and…well, I confessed my fear to Wren and he just laughed and told me to give it some time. Did you know that he had to beg Elijah to mount him after whelping? The alpha was that worried.”
Graham rolled his eyes. “No, I didn’t and I don’t think I’m supposed to. We’re talking about you, anyway. How do you feel?”
“Wonderful.” He yawned. “Okay, I would love a nap. After you make me climax,” he added quickly.
Graham circled the outline of his mate’s cock with his thumb. “That’s not a problem.” With one quick move, he lowered the waistband of Tripp’s pants and freed his dick.
The mere sight of the hard, slender shaft made his mouth water. He sucked it past his lips without another thought, savoring the sweet taste of his mate’s skin. He slid his tongue around it and sucked.
“Stop!”
Tripp’s plea had Graham releasing the dick and sitting back instantly.
“Did I hurt you?” Gods, he needed to get himself under control.
“Of course not.” The omega sat up and quickly removed his shirt. “I don’t want to come that way. Fuck the cum out of me. Please.”
Graham’s wolf didn’t need any more invitation, but his beta brain urged caution. “Are you sure your hole is healed enough?”
By way of an answer, Tripp closed his eyes and threw back his head. The scent of slick slapped Graham in the face, flaring his nostrils and making his dick kick against its confines. Graham knew when it was time for rational thought to give way to common sense. He and his mate needed each other and delay was pointless.
He jumped to his feet and stripped himself bare. Then he removed the rest of his mate’s clothing. There was still some plumpness from the pregnancy around the boy’s middle and his breasts were slightly rounded with the milk he produced for their pup. The omega had never looked so beautiful to him. He ignored the incessant pressure of his cock in order to simply enjoy the sight before him.
Tripp moved restlessly. “Please. I can’t wait.” Without being told, the omega was bold enough to spread his legs and bend his knees.
There was no more time or reason to withhold what they both so desperately wanted. Graham climbed onto the bed and lodged himself between those welcoming thighs. He took hold of the taut ass and spread the cheeks to expose the hole. It was still the tight, puckered ring of his dreams. Whelping hadn’t changed that. The skin around it was pink and shiny with slick. It spasmed under his gaze, a clear invitation.
Graham grabbed his own dick and lined it up, then he pressed forward, slowly. He watched as Tripp’s hole yielded to the invasion with ease, opening like a flower bud into full bloom. The grasp of the channel around his cockhead made the Gamma moan. Closing his eyes, he savored the journey back inside his mate until he was balls deep. He stopped then, latching onto the back of the omega’s thighs in order to push them farther back and gain an inch more access to the heat embracing his shaft.
On a groan, he opened his eyes to look at his mate. Tripp’s eyes were closed and his mouth was slightly open. His slender chest rose and fell with quick breaths. Graham scrutinized the boy for signs of discomfort. He found none. Instead, the omega rolled his hips and clenched Graham’s dick.
He got the message. Carefully at first, then with greater vigor, Graham began to thrust. His pelvis slapped against Tripp’s ass, the smacking sound setting a rhythm that matched their breathing. It was easy access to his mate’s dick, and he clasped it with one hand and jerked the shaft with the same timing as his thrusts. Every part of him and his mate were in sync. His wolf pranced under his skin and set a duet of excited yips with Tripp’s.
The intensity built at lightning speed. The omega came first, his cum spurting over Graham’s fingers. The boy cried out and arched his back. That movement set Graham off. He came with a blinding power that made him howl. He slammed into his mate’s spasming channel, sending his seed on its way as if fertile ground would meet it. Then the shockingly unexpected happened again. His knot swelled out, trapping him inside Tripp’s ass and slowing his movements.
It didn’t freak him out this time. He just went with it, ecstatic to be physically joined with his mate even though he wasn’t in heat. Regardless of the cause, this was how he bonded fully with Tripp, and even though it wouldn’t last long, he reveled in the chance to show his love and devotion.
As his cock kicked out another orgasm, he collapsed on top of the omega and rolled them both to their sides. He claimed the boy’s mouth, fucking it with his tongue in place of his cock’s ability to do the same. Tripp rewarded him by throwing his arms around his shoulders and hugging him tight. The tickle of cum against Graham’s abdomen told him he wasn’t the only one greedy for more.
When they needed to catch their breath, Graham broke the kiss. “Gods, I love you.”
Tripp giggled into the crook of his neck. “I can feel how much from your knot.”
Graham’s breath caught. “Does it hurt? Was I too rough?”
“Of course not! Being bound to you like this makes me feel wanted as nothing else has ever done. I don’t understand why it happens, but it’s special. Isn’t it? It’s our special thing. We’re meant to be together.”
Graham hugged his mate closer as yet another orgasm ripped through him. “Yes, it is and yes, we are—fated always to be together.”