“Hey there.” River’s arms tightened around his waist. “So, is this just an excuse to feel me up outdoors?” River teased.
“Well … guilty.” Nix laughed. They laid down for a romantic moment, River on top of him, their heartbeats in sync. He loved these moments as much as he loved tearing River’s clothes off. And as much as he joked about taking his mate right there, where not a soul could see, Nix loved this just as much. He broke from the kiss and gave a mischievous smile, then sat up. “How do you feel about a race, huh?”
Nix put River on the ground and jumped on his feet. “Think you can take me?” He began ripping his clothes off.
River got on his feet. “Cheater,” he cried even as he got naked.
Nix released a growl, and then he felt his body tingling inside and morphing into his animal form. When he was fully shifted, he turned and looked at River. A smile rested on Nix’s face as he stared at his mate. His gorgeous white wolf, with black socks. He circled River, marking him with his scent before playful pouncing on him, bringing him to the ground.
They laughed as they played together. Nix loved that he could hear River in his head even while they were shifted. He moved in and licked River, who huffed, and they pounced a few more times on one another.
River pinned him, and in his head, his mate’s taunting voice said, “Catch me if you can.” Then he was off.
Phoenix laughed and let his mate get some lead time before taking off after him. His tiger never losing their mate’s scent for a moment.
They ran for a while, and he caught up to River, and they ran side by side, turning so they didn’t get too far from the house.
When they were closer to home, River collapsed in a heap, and Nix smiled and circled his mate. Before lowering himself too so they lay together, nestled against one another, enjoying the moment.
He shifted and River followed suit, and he lifted his mate on top of him. River lowered his lips to his for a soft kiss, and he trailed his hands up and down River’s body, caressing his back.
There was a part of him that couldn’t believe his luck and his life. River wasn’t just his mate, he was his best friend, and Nix never felt complete without River by his side. As they lay there, Nix closed his eyes and thanked the Goddess for his mate and his pup.
This was the life he’d dreamed of all those years ago. And now he had it.
“You’re my dream too,” River murmured.
Nix smiled and moved in for another kiss. He kissed him long and hard, slipping his tongue in between River’s lips. River cupped his cheek and sighed into the kiss. Then they just lay there for a while.
“Thank you, River,” Nix whispered softly.
“For what?” River moved so he could look him in the eye.
“For being here for me. For loving my brothers as much as I do.” He turned to gaze at him. River brought his eyes to his. “More importantly, for loving me with all your heart. I can’t wait for our family to grow. I just know our kids will be the luckiest because they have you, both pups and cubs.” His mate sniffed, and he smiled, “I just want you to know I look forward to loving you for all the rest of my days.
“Thank you,” River whispered.
Nix tilted his head. “For …”
“Making me feel like the luckiest omega alive.”
“I will always give you everything you could ever possibly want,” Nix whispered. “Because you’ve given me everything I ever desired.”
They both turned and looked up at the sun as it faded behind a cloud. Just a few more minutes together. Just them … Nix knew no matter how much their family grew, he would always want these moments—just him and his mate.
Epilogue - Nix
Two Months Later
Nix felt his arm being pulled and his name being called. “Nix … Nix …” He jerked awake when it hit him that it was River.
“What’s wrong, babe?” Nix rubbed his eyes and sat up slowly. A yawn escaped as he turned to face his mate. “What time is it?”
He finally noticed that River was smiling at him.
“It’s time. This is it,” River said. “The baby is coming!”
Nix’s eyes widened and he jumped up from the bed. “I’ll call Ryder. Wait right there. Or, do you want to come? What do you want to do? What should I do?”
