They parted, and Marcellus shifted right away. An explosion of fur, snout, huge paws, and a tail, and he was off the porch and racing toward the woods. Wes glanced after him and then closed his eyes.
Okay, he could do this. He finally stopped suppressing the tiger that he'd pushed back for so long. It was slow to move forward at first until the creature burst to the forefront. The shift was fast, eager. He ended up on all fours, his body white and his stripes black. Marcellus glanced back at him and stared. Wes could feel his gaze searching his body, and he quickly shot off after his mate.
The dirt and grass underneath his paws, the smell of the earth and water. It was almost overwhelming. Every sense in his body was heightened. They took off into the trees, running and nipping, just enjoying themselves.
Wes had never felt so free in his life. At that moment, he knew that he'd held himself back for way too long. Instead of hiding his tiger, he needed to embrace him. That was a part of who he was, and hiding it had only made him miserable.
Twelve
Marcellus
Marcellus was stunned. His omega had gone through so much for him. A private jet, a chateau, now running through the forest together? Wes had gone completely out of his way to make him happy, and he loved the man for it. Marcellus knew that even if they weren't fated, he would still love the man.
It was a dream come true watching his mate as he strutted around the forest, powerful and majestic. The whiteness of his fur and his stripes were impressive. He'd never seen anything so beautiful as his mate, shifted or human. It was intoxicating.
They ran until they were worn out and collapsed on the ground. Wes walked over and lay beside him before he nuzzled into his side. Marcellus could get used to being with his mate like this. They laid together until they caught their breath and then raced back toward the house.
The minute they reached the porch, Marcellus shifted back. It took Wes a few moments longer, but then he was back on two feet and smiling. He shook out a few leaves from his hair and grinned up at the alpha.
"My tiger and I were talking for a minute before I shifted. He really loved the run. Never been happier." He smiled. "I've been neglecting him way too long."
"Well, you don't have to worry about that anymore." Marcellus held his cheeks in his hands. "Look at you, love. You're glowing. Doing this wasn't just great for me, but for you as well."
"It was. I didn't even understand how much I needed it until I was racing through the trees with the wind in my fur." He closed his eyes as Marcellus placed a kiss on his forehead. "I love you so much. If it wasn't for you, I never would have experienced this."
Marcellus couldn't wipe the dopey smile off of his face. "I love you too." Their lips crashed together. "Let's go inside."
Wes nodded eagerly. They kissed roughly even while they moved back to the door. Wes reached out and slapped pathetically at the door until he eventually turned the knob, then both of them almost tumbled to the floor. Marcellus laughed and quickly shut the door behind them.
"Wes," he moaned his name and swiped his tongue over his mate's bottom lip. "Fuck, you're so beautiful."
The omega shivered. "I don't even know what to say to that," he whispered. "I love hearing it, though. I love that you're so in love with me."
Marcellus picked his mate up, and Wes wrapped his legs around Cellus’ waist. The alpha carried him through the chateau, but he only made it as far as the kitchen. He sat Wes down on the table and pushed his head to the side where he ran his tongue over the mark that he'd left on Wes' skin.
That was his mark, his mate. Marcellus breathed in the scent of him. He couldn't stop his hands from wandering all over Wes' body. He'd touched him many times before, but that never seemed to stop the adoration that he felt for him. Wes was hot as hell, and Marcellus couldn't get enough of him.
Their lips met again, and Wes melted against Marcellus, who reached between their bodies and stroked Wes' cock. The omega squirmed and moaned as his alpha jerked him off. Wes even lifted his hips, thrusting into Cellus’ grasp. He placed his arms around his mate's neck and held on tightly.
"I want your cock."
Those hotly whispered words were enough to send Marcellus into overdrive. He pushed Wes down against the wooden tabletop and kept his hand flat against the omega's stomach. He ran his fingers over Wes' hole and felt how hot and wet he was for him.
Marcellus pushed his cock inside of his mate and buried himself deep. Wes' body arched up from the table, and he dug his nails into Marcellus' flesh. The omega growled low in his throat, and Marcellus stared at him with wide eyes.
"S-sorry. That was too much." He tried to sit up, his cheeks red. "I didn't mean to—"
"Do it again."
Wes tilted his head. "I-I don't know..."
Marcellus pulled his cock nearly completely out and then slammed it back inside of Wes. The omega screamed, and the sound turned into a deep, guttural moan. His eyes looked hazy, and a small smile started to grow on his lips.
"There you go," Marcellus squeezed his nipples. "You don't have to hold a damn thing back from me. Growl, bite me, scratch me. I'm your mate."
Wes nodded hard. "And I'm yours. I'm all yours, Marcellus."
The alpha leaned over Wes' body and rocked himself in and out of him hard. Wes' teeth sank into his shoulder. Marcellus howled, a growl on his lips as he picked up speed.
