Chapter 27 Courtship
COURTSHIP
They moved into Crush’s Cartfalls home a month and a half into Killian’s pregnancy.
“This is amazing,” Killian said, digging into the soft dirt in Crush’s backyard.
Crush crouched next to him. “What is?”
“This garden soil! It’s so rich and full of nutrients. I think my carrots will grow so big here.”
Crush snorted. “Isn’t my carrot big enough for you, sweetheart?”
“Your—” Killian choked. “Oh gods! You didn’t just call your cock a carrot!”
“It’s big and juicy. You love having it in your mouth. And it buries itself pretty deep.” The alpha smirked.
“That is so bad,” Killian moaned. He smelled something in the air, though. Something sweet like— “Wait. Did you bring me carrots?”
Only then did he notice that Crush had both hands tucked behind his back.
“I stopped by the farmer’s market on the way back.” Crush brought both his hands forward. In one fist was a bundle of freshly-plucked carrots, with their leaves still whole and beautiful. In his other hand was a bundle of red roses.
Killian grinned. “I’m not going to eat the roses; I’m not Walren.”
Crush laughed. “I heard that he did quite a number on Raptor’s backyard.”
“He wreaked havoc everywhere we went,” Killian said. “No neighbors’ flowers were safe from him.”
He took the roses—with their thorns removed!—and buried his face in the soft petals, sniffing deeply. Then he let Naddie sniff at a large rose; she was in her rabbit shift right now, with her long floppy ears and twitching nose. Naddie immediately began to chew on a petal.
“I made sure they’re safe for eating,” Crush said. “But you already knew that.”
This was one of several gifts that Crush had brought Killian over the past weeks. Crush had dug up his backyard so it would be easier for Killian to plant his carrot seeds; he had even done research on the carrot varieties, and given Killian a bundle of different seeds.
“I love these. Did you buy some dill for yourself?” Killian asked.
Crush blinked. “Huh. I forgot to.”
Killian frowned. “Well, get me dill seeds, and I’ll grow some for you.”
“You’re the best, sweetheart.” Crush beamed, wrapping his arms around Killian. This brought Crush’s face too close to the carrots’ feathery leaves; they tickled his nose, and he sneezed.
Killian grinned. “You’re adorable when you sneeze.”
“Me? Adorable?” Crush looked surprised.
“Yes! Alphas can be adorable too.” Killian leaned in, pressing a kiss to Crush’s mouth. Crush lit up; he always did when Killian initiated their kisses. When Killian pulled away, Crush looked dazed.
“Mine,” Crush said dopily. He nuzzled Killian’s neck and rubbed the bump of his belly. “All mine.”
Killian let Crush rub him. He popped out his rabbit ears; Crush stroked them too.
“Oh, yeah. My dads want us to go over to the pack house this weekend.”
Killian blinked. “Are you going to tell them?”
Crush twitched. “Maybe.”
Killian snuggled harder into him. “Maybe it’s best to get it over with. Rip off the bandage.”
His alpha sighed. “Should I tell them before or after they officially initiate you into the pack?”
“Wait, what?” Killian blushed. “But we haven’t...”
We haven’t bonded yet.
“They like you. They want you to be honorary wolves.” Crush looked so proud, with a twinge of bittersweetness in his smile. “I just don’t know if they would kick me out of the pack, if I told them. But they’d let you stay.”
“They won’t kick you out,” Killian said firmly. “But if they do, I’ll go with you.”
Crush gave a lopsided smile, pulling him into a hug.
For a pack with so many wolves, everyone was unnaturally silent and still around them. Killian squeezed Crush’s hand; Crush’s pulse was thundering.
“So that’s why I haven’t really hung out much around here,” Crush finished quietly.
“I just didn’t feel like I should. I’m sorry for not telling the whole truth ten years ago.
It wasn’t something I’m proud of. I still don’t know which is worse—all of you seeing me for the stupid things I did, or kicking me out because of it. ”
He bowed his head, the words of his confession heavy in the pack house.
Joe stepped forward, pulling Crush into his arms. “Oh, pup. I’m sorry you’ve been keeping this to yourself for so long. It couldn’t have been easy.”
Ashton joined his son and omega, pulling them into his arms. “Everyone makes mistakes. We’re not kicking you out because of this, pup. You’ve done everything you can to remedy the situation. You’ve carried around your guilt for a long time.”
Crush relaxed slightly, his pulse slowing. His palm was still sweaty against Killian’s, though.
“I don’t like that you couldn’t trust us with the truth,” Titan said. “But I understand why you did it.”
“Besides, we’re not just defined by one mistake, but by all the mistakes we’ve made,” Gavric added with a lopsided smile.
The rest of Crush’s pack chimed in with similar words of acceptance. Killian’s unease faded as the pack came forward to ruffle Crush’s hair, or pat his back.
“Welcome back,” Joe said to Crush, still holding him.
Crush sniffled a little. “Thanks.”
Joe continued to rub his back. Then he leaned away, and smiled at Killian. “So, how about that welcome ceremony? I promise to show you some of Crush’s baby pictures after. He really was an adorable pup.”
Crush groaned, but he didn’t sound as distraught as before. “Dammit, Dad.”
“You’ll thank me later,” Joe said knowingly.
Crush
It’s kind of a long shot, but I need some help
tracking down some omegas who disappeared 10 years ago. June 15th. From Cartfalls. They were held in a warehouse before being shipped away. One of the captors had a new gray truck. Paid in cash to have it fixed.
Bruiser
That’s oddly specific.
Duke
10 years? Not sure how much old webcam footage is still around, but we could look.
Raptor
Sounds like a long shot, to be honest
Uriel
How did you know about this incident?
Crush
I was an eyewitness. Do you know anything about it, Uriel?
Uriel
Maybe.
Titan
Hey, Uriel, weren’t you from Cartfalls before you moved away?
Uriel
Yeah, I have a love-hate relationship with this place. Left a couple times, found myself back here anyway. Funny how fate works.
Crush, I can probably help. But don’t get your hopes up too high. The stats are grim with these situations.
Crush
Fuck. Thanks, U. I owe you a ton.
KillianKillsDreams
Is it weird if I ask Crush to be my mate?
I mean, it’s weird because I still don’t have a job. But I’m growing carrots and other vegetables in his backyard. And I’m kind of getting really round.
MathlinHatesMath
Shouldn’t he be the one asking you?
IvoFivo
Make him work for it!
KillianKillsDreams
Actually... I accidentally offered to court him with a twist tie ring. He told me I could go with a $10 spool of leather cord for something more fancy. $10!!!!
It’s like he really doesn’t mind if I don’t have any money.
In fact, he helped me open a bank account and then dumped a bunch of money in there. Said it’s all mine. It’s crazy.
MathlinHatesMath
Why would he want you spending your time elsewhere making a bit of money, when he could be breeding you nonstop?
KillianKillsDreams
... Actually, you’ve got a point.
Most of the time when I’m not busy with Naddie, he’s got me pinned under him. I think I will never be tight again.
OttisWoof
I need to scrub my eyes out
That’s my brother you’re talking about!
NotAWalrus
Here’s some brain bleach
PinksThinks
Ottis, maybe cover your eyes for a bit
Kil, do you know what’s worth more than a ring? Even a diamond ring?
Mark yourself all over with his name. That’s a better engagement present. Wear at least one of his used clothes. Smell completely like him. TBH if you bend over and his name is there on your butthole, he’s all yours
Wolves really, really like to claim. Territorial. I should know, I’m a wolf
KillianKillsDreams
... OMG did you just call my butthole a ring?
Also, he did that the other week, but the marker ink eventually faded
PinksThinks
You didn’t put the markings back on??
KillianKillsDreams
I’m shy!!!!
PinksThinks
But yeah. Your butthole ring. Better than any ring on the market, I can promise you that. Anytime you want him to wear your ring, you know what to do (wink emoji)
KillianKillsDreams
I... am going to get on that right now. (blush emoji)
MathlinHatesMath
Pinks is revolutionizing proposals, one butthole at a time
PinksThinks
(hair flip emoji) (unicorn emoji) (eggplant emoji) (hole emoji)
Killian curled up on the bed he shared with Crush, his legs pulled up on either side of him. “This is hard,” he whined. “Why is my belly so big already?”
He couldn’t see his cock, and the tiny hand mirror was not helping. He set it down and used his phone camera instead, pointing the selfie cam between his legs.
Carefully, he wrote the letters on his skin. There were already several of those same letters all over him, and he had left the most difficult spot for last.
Then, finally, it was done.
Killian flopped onto the bed, panting and sweating.
“Sweetheart?” A quick knock on the door. “Are you okay?”
“I’m so tired,” Killian said, capping the body marker before ink got onto the sheets.
“Want to let me help?”
“I’m done! Well, mostly done. I gotta clean up.”
“You’ve been in there for two hours,” Crush said, sounding concerned. “Let me do the cleanup.”
“No! It’s supposed to be a present!”
“Yeah? What kind of present?” Now the alpha sounded curious.
“Um... a big present?” Killian flapped his hand between his legs, hoping it dried the ink more quickly. He shuffled off the tall bed and headed over to the laundry hamper, where he had left one of Crush’s T-shirts. It smelled strongly of Crush’s musk and forest scent.
It also smelled like a predator, but these days, Killian was very used to the scent of wolf all over him.
Killian wriggled into the T-shirt. Then he picked up the biggest, most beautiful dill frond he had found in his garden, and tucked it between his asscheeks.