DYLAN ||

Sooooo.... I'm clingy..

I didn't realize just how terrible I was until I literally begged Raiden to come back to bed and hold me so I could go back to sleep. I rolled my eyes at the fact that I actually whined when he said my name instead of one of his little pet names.

When the hell did I become such a brat?

My Raiden just brings it out of me. I never thought I would feel this way about him, it was like I needed to feel his arms wrapped around me, I needed him to hold me close and love on me and giving me kisses and cuddles and make me feel so wanted. I was completely fucking loving it.

I prayed for this kind of affection for a long time and I've always been a cuddler. I used to make Gabe and Hunter sleep in the bed with me just so I could feel the warmth of another body.

My mom and dad are amazing parents and I never wanted for anything, but I just wished that they had been a little more affectionate. They would hug me and my brothers all the time and tell us they loved us and everything, but I never felt like I got enough.

Now with Raiden, I was living in his affections and it felt so fucking good. To know I was getting my needs met and fulfilling his at the same time, had me smiling like a damn teenaged pup. The way I see it is hugging, cuddling and kissing isn't fully gay, so I felt like I was calming my homosexual panic just a smidge.

Although it was oddly fantastic to feel Raiden's practically naked body pressed against mine all night. He smelled so fucking good and held me so perfectly, I didn't even care that his dick was digging into my back the whole time. As long as the elephant trunk stayed in its cage, I was ok with it.

Yeah I sound so fucking gay....

I groaned at the realization that I have to be bisexual at least. I mean it only made sense if I find Raiden attractive. I was starting to question if the bond actually had anything to do with it or if I really am attracted to men.

I don't remember ever feeling this way about any other guy growing up, I've never looked at guys in the same light as girls. Nothing about men turned me on, yet here I am, wrapped in the strong, perfectly toned arms of my mate, who's a man and he's fucking beautiful.

Like literally everything about him is beautiful. His gorgeous face, his hair I so desperately wanted to run my fingers through, his amazingly toned body that had me rethinking my whole sexuality, his perfect smile that honestly should sponsor some type of toothpaste. Nobody's teeth should be that white, that straight and that perfect, his intimidating canines only added to that rising need of wanting him to claim me.

Not to mention his personality, that had everything in me wanting to submit to him and just be his good little pup.

With those stupid fucking nicknames I've grown to love more than my own name, if that wasn't already apparent enough.

I have to be bisexual at least....

I'm such a fucking clingy weirdo. Ugh.. maybe I should let him get up now. I've made him lay with me all morning and by the fact that my alarm clock says 1:37pm, it's definitely time to go socialize with the rest of our household. Shoot we haven't even eaten yet, we've just been in our room enjoying each other's company.

"Raid?"

"Yes love."

"Do you want to get up and maybe socialize with other people?" I ask, making myself laugh with how stupid I actually sounded.

"No pups, I'm fine here, just like this with you." He answers back and I frown, not because I'm upset but because he's just too fucking perfect and it's annoying at this point.

"Really? You want to just lay here all day? It's already the afternoon."

"Yes really pups. I don't want to socialize right now, not a big people person, remember?" I felt him chuckle against my back and I smiled.

"Yeah I guess I keep forgetting. Sorry, is that just a Leopard thing or a Raiden thing?" I ask, already knowing the answer but I just wanted to hear his voice again.

"Its a feline thing. Why? Do you want to go socialize?"

No... I want to stay right here with you and I want you to hold me until your arms fall asleep and even then, I want you to continue to hold me and maybe kiss me again.... Just freaking kiss me again. Why haven't you kissed me again Raiden?!

"Maybe I should socialize, I am the alpha, I kind of have to be there for the pack."

"Ok, well that's fine with me love. You can go handle your pack stuff and I'll be here enjoying my alone time."

Damn it.. I don't want to go without you stupid leopard. Get your ass up and come with me.

"Are you sure I should go by myself? You don't want to come?" The desperation in my voice made me groan internally.

"Yes I'm sure baby. Go handle your business and I'll be here."

I fucking love when you call me baby. Do it again! That's exactly what I am to you, your baby, your pups, your love, your little wolf..... ugh! Call me baby again!

"Ok, I hate leaving without you though. The pack needs to see us together eventually."

"I'm sure your pack will be ok until we're both ready for that pups."

Yeah and when they see us together and find out how I've treated their Luna, they're going to hate me and probably challenge the Council for a new Alpha of the pack that's been in my family for centuries.

Nice going Dylan... all because I couldn't just accept my mate, who's fucking perfect by the way.

I sigh and nod, knowing I would lose this battle if I continued to try to convince him to come with me. I had to accept the fact that Raiden needed his alone time and he's just not a social kind of guy.

Slowly unraveling myself from his arms, I get off the bed suddenly feeling completely lost without his embrace. He clearly noticed my reaction because he got off the bed as well, walking over to me before stopping once he was right in front of me.

I stared into his eyes, trying so hard to keep it together, but that was easier said than done. You try having a mate that looks like mine and makes you feel like you're the only person that matters in the world, then try to leave them after they show you with everything you didn't know you needed.

It's hard damn it!

Like Theo said during dinner, my mate is a thirst trap and I'm fucking dehydrated.

Yeah I'm gay...

I open and close my mouth so many times trying to figure out the right thing to say. I didn't just want to say bye and leave, I wanted to say something more meaningful, but I'm not a damn poet like Raiden. I don't have his way with words, so I was completely lost with what to say or rather, what not to say.

I may not have a great way with words, but I definitely know how to say the wrong things. So finding what to say to leave my mate for the first time since we've been this close, was hard as fuck.

"Pups." I look at Raiden when he called out to me and I swallow, more nervous than I actually should be. "I'll miss you." He says and I sigh before laughing at myself.

My mates way of saying goodbye was so simple, yet so powerful. I was such a nervous mess, I didn't even know how to say those 3 simple ass words.

"I'll miss you too." There, I managed to say it back as I smiled at my mate, thank you Goddess.

The sexy feline that's all mine decided not to just leave my departure with words though. I didn't know what his plan was, but he took a step forward, closing the gap between us easily. Then his fingers slowly traveled up my arm, sending tiny little shivers up my spine everytime he would stop and rub circles on my skin.

My eyes never left his the whole time he played with my emotions, until his hands finally cupped my face and he slowly leaned in, until his lips were mere inches from mine.

YES! I've been waiting for this since yesterday!!

"Can I kiss you pups?" His breath danced across my lips, making me flinch a little at the sudden tightness that it caused in my damn sweats.

I nod way too eagerly and wait patiently for his lips to meet mine for the second time. I had an assumption how our first kiss would be and I was completely wrong about that because I was the one to initiate it after a moment of emotional turmoil.

So I was trying so hard to figure out how our second kiss would be with Raiden initiating it. The man looked like a sex God, so I was expecting him to be a little rough with me, but again, my assumptions were all wrong.

As soon as his lips met mine, I gasped with how soft and gentle he was. After a few seconds of hesitation, I slowly brought my hands up to wrangle through his arms and cup his face, while his hands moved, one to the back of my neck and the other to my back, lower than I expected. The sudden surprise of it caused me to arch my back and press my chest even closer to Raiden's, if that was possible.

I felt him smile against my lips before he started placing quick, little gentle kisses to my lips, which enticed a totally manly and completely masculine giggle out of me.

My mate took that as an opportunity to gently bite down on my bottom lip, bringing another gasp out of me as my giggle fit came to a halt and then I felt his tongue dance across my bottom lip and I slowly opened my mouth, not really knowing what he wanted. I didn't think he would actually kiss me with tongue, but I'm always wrong aren't I?

His tongue quickly slid into my mouth, he tasted so fucking good, like beyond fucking good, I found myself tightening my grip on his face, pulling him in closer until my forearms rested against his chest, our noses were so close, we were fighting each other's breath as our tongues fought for attention, which eventually my mate won.

I wasn't sure if I let him win because I fucking loved the taste of his tongue on me or if he actually overpowered me, but I didn't give a shit. I pulled him even closer when he pinned my tongue, wanting all too much to show him that I wasn't weak, that I could take him and he wouldn't win every battle.

So I dropped my hands from his face, moving them to the back of his neck and quickly turned us, slamming him into the wall behind us, never letting my lips fall from his.

"Mmm, dugheahdoyursfup" He moaned into my mouth and I couldn't help but chuckle, breaking our kiss to look at my mate again.

"What the hell did you just say?" I laughed, through my heavy breaths as I watched him try to control his own breathing.

"I said don't get ahead of yourself pups." He said through his own laughter, I couldn't hold back the snort that flew out my nose. We stared into each other's eyes through our fits of laughter then.

What the hell is wrong with us?

How did this go from intense and passionate to us laughing like dorks so quickly?

I leaned my forehead against his as I tried to catch my breath. Stupid little bursts of laughter coming out every few seconds until I believed I had myself under control.

Pulling away, I looked into my mates eyes again and smiled when I found him already smiling at me.

"I'll see you later." I said, through one more fit of laughter and he nodded.

"I'll be here."

I leaned in to kiss those lips one more time before reluctantly pulling away and grabbing some clothes out of my closet.

Once I was dressed, I came back out and seen my mate laying back down on the bed with his book in hand.

I smiled then rolled my eyes at myself for not being able to stop smiling.

"See you soon, babe." I whispered ever so quietly before leaving the room.

It's not normal to feel this happy...

Walking out of the packhouse in search of the Conference Hall where we held important meetings, I greet my pack members on the way as each one went about their daily duties assigned to them.

Being Monday, our Omega blood pack members had cleaning and daycare duties, Beta blood members were on construction duty and Gamma blood members were busy with warrior training or border patrol as they did everyday.

The moment the Conference Hall came into view, I start to jog to get there a little faster, completely forgetting about my meeting with Alpha Tyson of the Evergreen pack to discuss a portion of land between our packs that he wanted to claim as his own and expand on, the only problem being that extra portion of land was owned by my pack and he hated that shit.

We already discussed this shit at last month's Alpha meeting with King Kano where Alpha Tyson decided to challenge me in front of the entire fucking room full of Alphas and Betas within the state.

Luckily, King Kano shut that shit down quick because I refused to budge on my land and even if I did want to sell it, I wouldn't sell it to that prick.

Alpha Tyson can kiss the shittiest part of my ass.

Opening the door to the Conference Building, I see my Dad, uncle Jake and Gabe sitting on the right side of the table while Alpha Tyson, his Beta, Dawson, another prick named Alpha Sawyer, his Beta, Harvey and his Gamma, Leo sat on the left side of the table.

Growling my frustration, I walk to the head of the table and take a seat as I lock gazes with Alpha Sawyer for the second time in thirty days.

"So nice of you to join us, son." Dad growls quietly as he looks my way. Avoiding his gaze, I nod instead and address the room.

"Alpha Tyson, Alpha Sawyer, Beta Dawson, Beta Harvey, Gamma Leo, what can we do for you?" I question, trying my best to be cordial despite the bullshit that Alpha Tyson tried the last time we were in the same room.

"I think we all know why I'm here." Alpha Tyson states as he pulls a piece of paper from his pocket before unfolding it and placing it on top of the table.

It was a map of the land between our territories.

"Alpha Tyson, we already went over this at the Alpha meeting last month. King Kano specifically said not to give you this land." Gabe states and Alpha Tyson scoffs before looking at me.

"I need this land and your pack has done nothing with it," He growls as he aggressively points to the piece of paper. "My pack is expanding while yours is at a standstill, I would benefit from this land and I've offered more than double for it."

"Not happening," I shrug. "Just because your pack is expanding doesn't mean that mine isn't and my pack is currently the second largest in the state, if I sell my extra land than we might not be able to accommodate everyone in the future if need be."

"Oh come on, Dylan—"

"Alpha Dylan." My Dad interrupts as he flares at Alpha Sawyer who turns his lip up at him before addressing me properly.

"Alpha Dylan," he tries again, however this time, with obvious sarcasm. "You're young, naive and most likely unfit to claim this much land if you're not going to use it. Just fucking sell it, both Alpha Tyson and myself need it to collaborate on a project."

Shaking my head, I let out a frustrated breath.

It didn't matter what they wanted the fucking land for, I really didn't care at this point. That land was mine and the real reason why I wouldn't let it go is because that's where Bennett lost his life. The place where we hold his memorial every year and the place that means the fucking most to me, so it didn't matter what Alpha Tyson or Alpha Sawyer said or how much fucking money they offered, I was never going to sell it.

Never.

"I'm not selling my Land, it's of value to me and just because you don't see the importance of it for my pack doesn't mean that you're entitled to it." I tell him as I notice Dad and uncle Jake shift uncomfortably in their seats.

"You're a fucking idiot, I can always just challenge for it or better yet, challenge you for your title and trust me when I say, I will win." Alpha Sawyer growls.

Then Alpha chuckles. "And then we can just takeover your little pack here and claim the land that way."

"Like fuck you will." Dad interjects as uncle Jake balls his fists on top of the table.

"What are you going to do about it gramps? You're not the Alpha of this pack anymore, this fight is between us and your precious baby boy here." Alpha Sawyer glares.

The atmosphere in the room grew tense as our gazes shift between each other, the auras of four very potent Alphas filling the room, causing Gabe, Beta Harvey, Beta Dawson and Gamma Leo to groan as they sink further into their chairs in an attempt to escape the pain.

"Look, this shit is going south and my son has already stated that he wasn't going to sell our land, so it's best if you take your leave." Dad nods. "Now."

"We won't be going anywhere until—"

All words come to an abrupt halt as the door to the conference room opens slowly.

Gabe's mate, Avery standing in the doorway, paler than usual as his chest rises and falls heavily. Sweat drenched his forehead, his hands trembling as he held onto the doorframe.

My eyes widen the moment that he walked inside of the room and the sweetened pheromones of fertility invade my senses.

"Gabey, I don't feel good." Avery whispers as I hear the multitude of growls around the table.

Man after man quickly getting to their feet as they all inhale Avery's pheromones that quickly filled the room.

Then Avery's body slumps forward before he falls to his knees and then completely hits the floor as his pheromones smash into me.

"Fuck! Gabe, he's in heat! Get him out of here, now!"

Shouting out my command, Gabe slides his chair from underneath the table and rushes towards his mate just as Sawyer, Tyson and Leo shift.

As their wolves large forms take over the room, Harvey and Dawson attempt to subdue them as they seek out Avery.

Shoving Sawyer's wolf into the wall behind him, I look over to see Gabe grab Avery and run out of the conference room, his own wolf right at the surface as Avery's pheromones smash into him as well.

Gabe must have just marked Avery or his body was reacting to finding Gabe if his heat came on this quickly.

Avery had just joined our pack a little over two months ago and over these past few weeks, he's shown no signs of actually going into his first heat.

If he did, we would have taken the necessary precautions and had Kyle and the nurses at the pack hospital concoct Nightlock Jam, something that we make all unmated male wolves eat before another wolf in the pack shows signs of going into heat.

It was something that would make their wolves dormant long enough for the wolf in heat to make it through their heat safely without having to worry about all the unmated wolves in the pack trying to mount them but not too long to where they would lose the connection with their wolf completely.

When any rank of wolf besides an Alpha enters their heat, it's a dangerous time for them as they go through two phases.