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Aiden hated waiting. Hated waiting for Kyle to come back to their nest. Being separated from his amazing omega drove his instincts wild. Made him want to chase Kyle down and drag him back to their nest, breed him. Especially after everything they have gone through. The Baron and his twisted experiments. Losing their minds to the volatiles inside.
He understood that Kyle needed space, he was an independent and strong mate. Had gone through things that would make lesser men die in agony. But, the beast inside of him doesn’t care about that. Mate. Need mate in our nest. The damn thing has been pouting and driving him up the wall. It certainly didn’t help that Kyle sounded exhausted over the radio lately.
At least he was going to arrive before nightfall today. They had an agreement that they can’t be separated for longer than three days. They went five days once and both of them went volatile on each other. To say that the Sheriff, Lydia and Olivia weren’t happy that two of them were ‘busy’ with each other for a week would be an understatement. But it sure had left them in a pile of purring satisfaction.
The two of them decided that whoever was at the nest first was in charge of cooking. And Aiden is damn well sure that he was going to make his mate eat, shower and then have a fierce cuddle session in their nest. Kyle would forget to take care of himself if he wasn’t reminded. Provide for mate. If he is lucky they can ‘reconnect’ tonight. He busied himself with descaling and deboning the fish that he had caught in the nearby river.
He had no clue what type of fish the six of them were but the both of them were getting tired of the expired and tasteless stuff they find. Aiden just wished he had some spices to flavor the fish with. It would be a good treat for the two of them since they haven’t seen each other in three days. They were too busy hunting down the remnants of the Baron’s men and making sure that everyone was safe.
Meat sizzled in the frying pan as Aiden looked out the window. The sky was painted in an orangey glow. The sun was setting and he couldn’t hear, see or smell any hint of Kyle getting close. Part of him wanted to go out and search for Kyle. He didn’t want his mate to be caught outside at night. Not with the unusual uptick of volatiles lately.
Find mate. Bring mate back. Aiden was starting to agree with the obnoxious shit, as he flipped the fish over. Except he didn’t want to make Kyle think that he didn’t trust him to take care of himself. It was frustrating, he was warring inside with his instincts… Maybe, just maybe, he could radio Kyle. He wouldn’t get annoyed with that.
”Hey, Kyle.”
The radio was silent. Minutes passed. Perhaps Kyle got stuck fighting some infected. Hard to focus on fighting while talking on the radio. Aiden found himself tapping his foot as he placed another fish into the pan. He should go out there. He should find Kyle…
”Hey kid. Sorry about that. Ran into a goon. What’s up?”
Aiden sighed in relief at hearing Kyle’s voice.
”Noticed the sun was setting. Just wondering where you were.”
”I’m not far. About five to ten minutes out. Should get there before the volatiles start crawling out of the woodworks.”
Kyle’s voice sounded tired.
”Okay. Dinner is almost done.”
”What’s for dinner?”
”A surprise.”
“Fine kid. See you soon.”
”See you soon.”
Aiden relaxed. Kyle was going to be here. He was safe. He felt himself settle down. He went back to focusing on the fish. The fourth one was done cooking and was plated. The fifth one was cooking in the pan.
Ten minutes passed, Aiden was on the sixth fish and there was no sign of Kyle. He felt himself and the Beast grow agitated. Another ten minutes passed. The sky was dark as night fell. He could hear the volatiles clawing their way out. Still no sign of Kyle. Ten minutes passed and the fish were done. Find mate. Bring mate to nest.
I’m agreeing with you here. Let’s go find him.
Aiden was halfway to the window, the Beast inside him coming to the surface, sharpening his senses. He heard the howling of Volatiles and his heart pounded. Mate not safe! Go get mate! He needed to get to Kyle! Just as he got to the window, a familiar body slid in.
Kyle stood there, bent over hands resting on his knees as he panted. A sheen of sweat over his face. Aiden rushed over and lifted Kyle’s head gently. He looked over his exhausted mate for any sort of wounds. It gave him a sliver of comfort to find only shallow scratches on his body. Mate shouldn’t have scratches! Mate should be unharmed! Pampered! Kyle deserved a hell of a lot more than that.
“Damn it Kyle. What happened?”
“Sorry Aiden. Ran into a group of regular infected. Two of them had the damn tanks on their backs and they both exploded which attracted the virals. Then, after killing the swarm of them, some of the Baron’s fucking men decided to attack. By the time I killed the fuckers off, the sun had already set. Didn’t want to risk drawing the volatiles’ attention by radioing you.”
“I still could have helped.”
”If things got bad I would have asked. I’m not inexperienced that I can’t sneak past the usual volatiles.”
“I know you’re not, I just got worried. We haven’t seen each other in a few days so the Beast was getting antsy too.”
Kyle smiled softly at Aiden. Ba-dump, Ba-dump. Kyle was just too cute! Take mate. Put mate in nest. Aiden just wanted to eat him all up. Instead, Aiden pulled him close, chest rumbling in purrs. He nuzzled into the top of Kyle’s head.
“You can tell him to calm down. I’m here now, Aiden.”
You hear that? Our omega told you to calm down.
Aiden smugly ignored the offended indignation rolling off of the Beast. Voice was worried too.
“So what’s for dinner?”
“Fish.”
”You went fishing? I just don’t see you as the type to patiently fish. Honestly see you as the person to jump into the water and grab them.”
Kyle pulled away, a teasing lilt to his voice. Aiden was silent under Kyle’s scrutiny. Mismatched eyes meeting his.
”You…”
Aiden looked away in embarrassment, face boiling in shame. He wanted to take cover, he never wanted Kyle to find out.
“You actually did that?!?”
He felt his cheeks heat up as Kyle burst into laughter. It was a full blown laughter. Kyle was clutching his stomach as bent over in his uproar. It sounded nice. Aiden rarely hears Kyle laugh like that. He could coax a chuckle from his mate but never more than that. Still, it would have been better if it wasn’t because of something the Beast wanted to do! Liar! Voice wanted to do it as much as alpha!
“It was getting late! I was having a shitty time trying to fish it the normal way. And I was a bit restless. So… I may have let the Beast out… to use its enhanced reflexes to catch the fish…”
Aiden stuttered out in embarrassment. This alpha better than voice. At least he wasn’t going to mention that the fish on his plate may have teeth marks… He had to dive into the river a few times and he only had two hands! The Beast was acting like a dog! Paddled around like a golden retriever looking for fish.
“So, you let the Beast go fishing. Such a silly mate. Thanks for the fish, sorry that I was late and that they are probably cold now.”
”Don’t worry. Go take a shower. I can warm them up in the pan. They might be a bit crispy but at least they will be warm.”
Kyle headed to the bathroom, chuckling lightly. Aiden stood there, face red as the shower turned on. After a few minutes he snapped himself out of his stupor and grabbed the plates of fish and went back to the stove. With a twist of a knob, an eye heated up. Aiden put the fish back in the pan and started to warm them up.
Minutes passed as the fish warmed up. Aiden re-plated them when he heard the squeak of the shower turning off. Just as Aiden set the plates down along with two bottles of more than likely stale beer on the table, Kyle came out of the bathroom clad in a white shirt and grey shorts, towel hung around his shoulders. Aiden licked his lips as he watched a bead of water roll down Kyle’s neck. Fuck, he wanted to chase it with his tongue…
How can he not know just how delicious looking he is? I could devour him and still be starving for him. God, can we skip dinner and just go straight to dessert?
“The fish is warmed up. Might be a bit crunchy.”
“Smells good.”
Kyle and Aiden sat across from each other at the table and began to dig in. Aiden wished he had some candles… Spike used to tell him about candlelit dinner dates he had before Harran. How it was supposed to create an intimate atmosphere. Kyle deserved to experience that, even during a zombie apocalypse. Even more so after hell.
Forks clinked against plates, fish crunching between teeth. The air hissed as bottle caps flicked through the air. Just as Aiden figured, the pre apocalypse beer had gone flat but it was better than nothing. Before long the plates were cleared of their contents and the bottles empty. They dumped the plates in the sink and collapsed into the nest together.
It took them a while to figure out a way for the two of them to fit in the nest together. Two genetically fucked up men that were both very muscular made the first few nights uncomfortable. Once they figured it out they would naturally fall into their spots.
Aiden lying on his back, with Kyle curled against him. Kyle’s head would rest on his chest, ear laying over his heart. Aiden would have one arm wrapped around Kyle and the other under his head. Their legs tangled together. The two of them were purring against each other as they tried to plaster themselves together.
As much as Aiden wanted to properly worship his beloved mate, he noticed just how tired Kyle was. Their life was stressful and tiring on a good day, but this? This was different. The older man had been yawning during dinner and the bags under his eyes were darker than last time. His scent also carried an undertone of distress. Mate tired. Mate stressed? Comfort mate! As if sensing his questioning mood, Kyle looked up at him.
”Hey kid. Thanks for the fish. It’s a nice change of pace compared to the usual crap.”
”It’s no problem Kyle. I’m getting tired of the same old shit too. Besides, you have been sounding even more tired than usual.”
”You would think with the Baron being dead, everything would lighten up around here.”
”It has in a way. Except for the fucking volatiles.”
Kyle huffed in equal parts agitation and exhaustion.
”Don’t get me fucking started on those damn things.”
“What happened Kyle?”
Kyle’s brow furrowed in annoyance as he tried to nuzzle his whole body into Aiden’s.
”I swear the Baron made a new type of volatile to fuck with me.”
”A new type?”
”Have you seen one dark gray almost black skin? With glowing red sores over its body. Eyes and mouth fucking glow as well. Bones looking sharper than the others.”
Aiden tried to recall the past few times he has been out at night. None of the volatiles he had encountered matched that description. Could it possibly be a chimera?
”No. I have only encountered the usual ones.”
”Damn. I was hoping I wasn’t the only one to have seen that thing.”
”What’s going on?”
”Every single time I end up outside at night this fucker shows up out of no where. It is always chasing me. It doesn’t try to hurt or kill me. Instead the fucker keeps trying to pounce on me. I spent a whole night in a vent once because the thing wouldn’t go the fuck away.”
“Could it be a chimera? You told me that they tend to have a different reaction to you compared to all the other infected.”
”I thought it was one at first. But, when I let my volatile out, I couldn’t understand it like I do the chimeras. It’s more like, whenever I was in my volatile mode I could get impressions from volatiles of what they were thinking. Not exact words but their intentions. And that is what I get from this thing, intentions.”
”What sort of intentions are you getting from it?”
Kyle’s face turned pink.
”I think it wants to…”
His face turns into Aiden’s chest.
”…Mate me…”
Static. His mind emptied out. The silence was so loud that everything else was drowned out. The Beast clawed at his mind. This… volatile… this upstart fucker was trying to take his mate? Trying to replace him? The ALPHA. Kill it! Hunt it down! Rend it to shreds! The Beast roared through the silence, shattering it under its fury. Aiden started to growl, rage, the instinct to hunt a would be usurper.
“It dares!?! No one is allowed to touch you! You’re my mate not theirs!”
Aiden’s blood boiled. He needs to go out now! Needs to hunt it down. Slaughter it. Bring its corpse for his mate to feed on. Prey trying to move in on mate! Will nourish mate instead! Voice! Move! Let Alpha out! He was starting to get up, giving in to his instincts when Kyle pushed him back down.
”Hey, relax Aiden! You need to calm down. Don’t go charging off into the night and get swarmed by the volatiles.”
He bit back a whine at his mate’s demand.
“But, Kyle. Its been hunting you down. I need to get rid of it. To protect you.”
Kyle smiled softly at him.
”I know. But it isn’t worth the risk of being chased by a horde of volatiles.”
”I would gladly slaughter a horde of them to make your life easier.”
”The thing isn’t trying to kill me. It is just annoying as hell trying to get things done at night when it keeps trying to pounce on me or drop dead infected in front of wherever I am staying.”
Its trying to court mate! Our Mate! He felt his hackles rise. The Beast was closer to the surface, its voice sounding more reasonable by the second. But before he could let it out, Kyle stopped him in place with a quick kiss.
”No need to get worked up Aiden. We haven’t seen each other in three days and I would rather spend the night in our nest, together.”
Aiden was disgruntled. The Beast was disgruntled. They both wanted to hunt it down but Kyle came first. What his mate wanted, he got. Aiden will do anything for Kyle, even curb his bloodthirsty animalistic tendencies.
“Fine.”
Kyle reached up and cupped the side of Aiden’s face. He moved up, lips gently pressing against his. They laid there, basking in their gentle affection. Kyle pulled back and snuggled back into Aiden’s chest.
“Good night Aiden.”
”Good night Kyle.”
Aiden felt Kyle slowly drift away, while his mind buzzed. Just because he relented to Kyle’s request to not go out tonight, he didn’t mention anything about tomorrow night. Or the night after that one. This upstart dared to hunt and court HIS OUR mate. As Kyle’s alpha, it is his duty, no, his privilege to fight off those that tried to steal his omega. That upstart better be prepared. Its nights of hunting his mate are over. The hunter is about to become the hunted.
The Beast inside purred darkly as they resolved to hunt down this pest. Aiden pulled Kyle closer, burying his nose in his mate’s short hair, the scent calming him down. Only then did he allow himself to sleep. He was going to need all of energy and focus tomorrow night. For the hunt is on.
A vs A
It was a grey and dreary morning. Maybe the weather had picked up on his mood and decided to match it. Aiden didn’t want to let Kyle go off on his own again but they were needed in two different places. Aiden had to go to the asylum because there had been sightings of scientists congregating there. Meanwhile, Kyle was being sent to the industrial area because there may be a rogue chimera hiding there.
They split ways mid morning after they spent some time scenting each other, basking in each other’s presence. Aiden knew that they could end up together at the same safe house tonight but… Aiden had something to hunt down and the only sure fire way for him to hunt it down was to use his mate as bait.
He wishes he didn’t have to use Kyle as bait but the thing has not once shown up near him. Prey know Alpha is better. We will make prey pay for hunting mate. Mate will forgive us when we bring prey to feast upon. This thing in his head was driving him nuts.
For the love of god. Please stop with the cannibalistic tendencies.
Prey is food. Even if prey is same as us. Voice worries about nothing. Voice likes to overreact. He wished the Beast was more like Kyle’s volatile. At least Kyle’s seems to be the more sane of the two volatiles. It was such a strange feeling as if the Beast was narrowing its eyes and glaring into his skull, when it lives in his skull…
His trip to the asylum didn’t take too long. The reports were correct as there were a few scientists there with a couple soldiers. It only took him a few minutes to dispatch the whole entire group. With them dead and whatever research they had was confiscated, he quickly dropped off what he had collected with Lydia’s group. Now he just needed to head to the industrial area.
Now this was the tricky part. Kyle had extremely sharp senses and could easily sniff Aiden out if he got too close. So he had to use the factories and other buildings to keep his distance while following Kyle. He also had to keep himself from jumping into the fray whenever Kyle got into a fight. His instincts roaring to protect his mate.
The thing is, if he were to help it would put him in a tight spot. One, he would have to explain to Kyle why he was there and hadn’t radioed him to tell him he was on his way. Second, they would finish Kyle’s mission early and retire to their nest long before sunset. Third, retiring to their nest means that he would not be able to sneak away. The temptation to breed his sexy omega is too strong. Fourth, it would prolong the so-called challenger’s life longer than necessary.
It took all of his willpower to convince himself and the Beast that this was in Kyle’s best interest. So, he forced himself to keep his distance and watch Kyle through the lenses of the binoculars. Aiden did find it interesting when Kyle met up with the chimera. Instead of a fight to the death, he looked to be having a conversation with the damn thing. God he wished he could read lips right now to know what was going on.
Whatever Kyle had said must have convinced the chimera to leave. It looked like it was sulking to Aiden as it stomped off heading in the direction of the woods. Honestly, it reminded Aiden of a mother scolding their rambunctious child. And boy did that just pop a rather intoxicating and attractive image in his head. A mini Kyle or Aiden being lovingly scolded by Kyle.
Yeah, once this was done he is so going to breed Kyle. Mate look gorgeous with spawn. Spawn will be superior to all other spawns. The Beast purred in agreement. They were lost in their fluffy slice of pie life fantasy that they leapt when the radio went off.
”Hey Aiden.”
His hand shakily pulled the radio out of its pocket. The other hand wiped the small stream of blood dripping from his nose.
”Hey Kyle.”
Aiden tried to sound calm and collected but came across as twitchy.
”Is everything alright?”
“Yup, never better.”
”I just finished up here. What about you?”
”I still have a few things left to do here at the asylum.”
Aiden bit the inside of his cheek as he felt a pang of guilt. He hated lying to Kyle but it was necessary!
“Oh, okay. Need help?”
”Nah, I’m good. Besides it is going to be night soon.”
”You’re right.”
”How did the chimera hunt go?”
Aiden kicked a biter that wandered a bit too close off the roof.
“Not bad. The thing was rather confused and didn’t understand what was going on. I told it to go up into the woods and hunt the other infected and to avoid humans.”
”Look at you. Being all nice to the chimeras. You know most people would have killed it and be done with it.”
”Most people can’t understand them. I feel bad for them. They are like giant children that have had no guidance. It’s not their fault that they were created by a megalomaniac using my DNA. That and it is kind of awkward killing them while they are calling you mom.”
”Which is why you are an amazing mate.”
He could hear the blush creeping onto Kyle’s face.
“Aiden… I’m going to head back to the nest. Talk to you in the morning.”
”Have a safe trip back. Love you.”
”… Love you too…”
Aiden chuckled at Kyle’s embarrassment and tucked the radio away and followed Kyle once more. The sun had set just as Kyle made it past the last factory. Now it was time for Aiden to start his hunt. He let the Beast rise close to the surface. His eyes peeled as he looked around for what Kyle spoke of. Aiden ignored the volatile that climbed over the edge of the roof and landed next to him.
He was pumping out so much alpha pheromones that the thing fled once it got a whiff of him. The Beast was ready. He stalked across the roofs. Eyes darted to the source of each loud clang. There were so many regular weak little ants crawling around but not what he was looking for. Thirty minutes go by and still no sign. Agitation surging through his veins. He wanted this over with now. He wanted to go cuddle with his mate in their nest.
Just as he was about to leave the industrial area and see if it was roaming closer to their nest, he heard the screech of a biter. He whirled around and looked down. There, with a biter’s neck crushed between its teeth, was a dark gray volatile. Just as Kyle described it, the thing had glowing red sores covering its body, red eyes and from what he could see, a glowing red mouth.
False alpha! Rend! Aiden snarled and darted across the roof tops. He dropped down to the ground in front of it with a heavy thud. They stared at each other. The volatile loosened its teeth around the rotten neck and let the biter slip to the dirt. The alpha in front of him hissed. Aiden didn’t bother to pull out his weapon.
This was a fight between alphas. He wanted to feel this fucker’s flesh rip apart beneath his hands. They prowled, circling each other. Growls rumbling from their throats. Aiden let the Beast surface completely but instead of letting it take over, the two of them melded together. They gnashed their teeth and pounced.
An arm lashed out, swiping at the alpha’s torso. The mottled thing hissed as it jumped back. Claws sliced through the air, aiming at their face. A hand took the blow, scratches tearing into their flesh. They snarled as they kicked out, ramming into alpha’s leg. Crack! The alpha howled and retreated a few steps back.
Enraged, it grabbed the nearest crate and threw it at them. They batted the thing away and looked at the empty space where the alpha had been. A loud screech was their only warning as it fell from the sky in an attempt to pin them down. They slid out of the way, narrowly avoiding the sharpened claws.
They took its momentary pause to their advantage and charged into the alpha. Their shoulder slammed into their opponent, sending it flying, slamming it into the brick wall. Without a break, they leapt after the alpha. Their clawed hands wrapped around the thick ankle. They heaved the body with a roar, sending it soaring through a broken glass window into a factory.
They jumped through the window after their prey. Feet landed among broken glass, a bloody imprint on the floor in front of them. Yet, their prey was nowhere in sight. Nostrils flared, that wretched scent was strong. Schink! Metal on metal grated towards their left. As they went to the source, claws descended upon them, carving through their shirt and drawing blood.
They grunted as they smacked the fucker away from them. It had a sickening grin on its face. It crouched in front of them, legs tensed, ready to pounce once more. Then it froze. Red beady eyes locked onto their neck. Specifically the spot where their wonderful omega finally marked them. It hissed and howled, screamed in rage.
“You!?! You omega’s alpha?!?”
Holy shit!?! It can fucking talk!?!
“You take my mate!!!! You die! Omega mine!”
They snarled as the alpha launched itself at them. It dares!?! Their claws latched once the alpha was close enough. Nails dug into rotten arms, gouging out strips of grayish flesh, gore splattering on the ground. They swung the upstart across the factory floor. The alpha slammed into the industrial shelves with a loud clang.
“Our mate! Not yours!”
“Me alpha! Me breed omega!”
“Over our fucking dead body!”
The slumped over alpha surged from its spot amongst the shelving debris with a roar. Legs propelling it forward towards them. They leapt upwards landing on top of the nearby scaffolding. Hands wrenched part of the railing off. They jumped down, railing positioned to pierce the offending alpha.
The railing pierces its shoulder, pinning it to the cement floor, blood spurting everywhere. They slammed to the ground next to it, dropping down and sweeping out its legs. It screeched in agony, the force of the sweep jostling the wound, widening the gap in its flesh. With a loud roar it forcibly wrenched itself free of the railing.
Arm went flying and backhanded them in the face. The force of blow sent them flying into the brick wall with an ear ringing crunch. The alpha snarled and jumped out of the broken window into the darkness. No! Hunt it down! They backed away from the wall, took a running leap, hands wrapped around a hanging pipe and used the momentum to propel themself after the fleeing alpha.
Howls broke through the night as they ricocheted off another factory wall and followed a glowing trail of blood. Feet pounded against the ground and rooftops. Regular volatiles swarmed the area, following them as they chased after their prey. Not a single one of them drew close though. Eyes locked on them. Excitement of the battle between two apex predators drawing them in.
They jumped across buildings, ping ponging off brick walls as they hunted down the usurper. The scent of salt water began to sting their sensitive nose as they got closer and closer to the canal. They were closing in on the alpha. Soon they found it trying to climb up a crane so it could get to the other side. Can’t escape!
Before it could get too high, they jumped, hand latching around the alpha’s ankle. Using their weight and gravity, they ripped it off the side, throwing it into the ground. They landed on top of the alpha, boots cracking its ribs. They leapt off to the side, the alpha kicking itself to its feet.
Once again they circled each other, both of them panting from the adrenaline high. Volatiles perched around them, whooping and howling. They had the advantage, their opponent had taken heavy blows and had slowed. The two clashed. Claws gouging into flesh. Blood spraying everywhere. Their snarls and growls joined the volatile chorus.
Then, with a quick jab, their arm punctured through the alpha’s sternum. Blood poured out as they drew their arm back from the hot decaying flesh. The alpha fell to its knees, blood spilling out of its mouth as death creeped in. They snarled, their teeth aching.
Giving in to their instincts their teeth descended on the would-be usurper, lodging into its neck. Flesh tore under their jaws' mighty pressure. It wailed as its life was slipping away faster and faster. Arms flailed uselessly, attempting to try and shove them off, to try and stave off death.
“No. Omega mine! Not…”
It garbled out in its death throes. Life drained out of its body, limply falling to the ground. The Beast, satisfied with their opponent’s death, retreated to the back of Aiden’s mind. Aiden quickly detached himself from the volatile’s neck, gagging on the sour taste of its flesh. Yet, despite the disgusting taste, he felt a deep sense of victory from feeling the life drain out of the alpha.
Aiden looked around him when heard the howls of the volatiles. All around him were various volatiles, yet none of them dared to come close. It was like they were spectators of a boxing match and Aiden was the winner. They know who the alpha is. He decided to ignore them and grabbed a hold of the alpha’s head. With his blade unsheathed, he used it to saw the volatile’s head off.
It would make a nice trophy to show Kyle. To show him how much of a good alpha he was. That his alpha hunted down a competitor for him, protected him, made his life easier. The Beast purred in the recesses of his mind. Aiden tucked the bloody blade away and grabbed the head. With it tucked under his arm, he made his way to their nest.
The gathering of volatiles split, forming a pathway. None of them dared to get in his way. As he raced through the industrial area, the volatiles peeled off and went their own ways. Halfway there, the sky rumbled, lightning flashed, and the sky let out a torrent of rain. At least it decided to start raining after his fight and wash off all of the blood… though it would have been way more dramatic if it was raining during it.
Aiden huffed as he nearly lost his grip on the head as he made it to the cement gardens, to their nest. He slid in through the window, turned around and pulled the metal cover down with one arm. As he turned, he heard the sound of a blade unsheathing. Lights flickered on. Kyle stood there, blearily, eyes tired and heavy with sleep. Machete in hand and pointed at Aiden.
“Who the fuck do you think… Aiden?”
The blade dropped to the ground.
”Uh… hey Kyle.”
Aiden sheepishly raised his free hand and waved. There was a long pause as Kyle eyed him. Taking in his rain soaked body.
”What are you doing here? I thought that you were staying at a safe zone near the asylum.”
”Well about that…”
”God, kid you're drenched.”
Kyle walked over to him, concern filled his eyes. Mate worried over us. Wonderful mate! He couldn’t agree more.
”It decided to open the flood gates as I was on my way here.”
”I can see that. Aiden what hap… is that a head under your arm?”
Confusion replaced concern. Mismatched eyes flickered from the head to Aiden’s face. He felt his face heat up under Kyle’s scrutiny. As his wonderful mate took a closer look at him.
”What the fuck happened? Who the fuck beat you this badly? Where are they? Are they still alive? Do you need me to kill the bastards? Also what is up with the damn head?”
Kyle became a flurry of movement. He quickly ran into the bathroom, grabbed a few towels and a medkit. Aiden sat the head down on the coffee table and then sat on the couch. Kyle came over and took one of the towels and started to dry Aiden off. Hands carefully drying the skin around the wounds. Wet shaggy hair slowly drying out.
”Don’t worry. The other guy didn’t make it.”
”Good. Now the head?”
Aiden looked off to the side. Kyle sighed, put the towels down and began to disinfect Aiden’s injuries.
”Now… don’t get mad Kyle… but remember how you were telling me about that volatile that was hunting you…”
“Aiden… don’t tell me you went and hunted it down?”
”I did. The bastard wanted you as its mate! There was no way that we, the Beast and I, were going to let some upstart usurper harass you.”
“You didn’t have to.”
”Of course I had to. I am your mate. It is my privilege, my joy, my pleasure to make sure that your life has as little hardship as possible, especially after everything you’ve been through.”
”I didn’t want to see you get this hurt.”
”Protecting you was worth it.”
Kyle’s hand gently turned Aiden’s face towards him. He gently pressed his lips against Aiden’s. When he pulled away, he rested his forehead against his, eyes filled with tender affection.
”Such a silly mate of mine. Thank you.”
”Anything for you.”
Aiden grinned, surged forward and captured Kyle’s lips in a passionate frenzy. Tongues danced around each other. Aiden’s fingers cradling Kyle’s head closer and closer to him. He rumbled in delight as Kyle’s arms threw themselves around his shoulders. Breed mate. The Beast was preening.
The two of them pulled away from each other, panting. Kyle grinned and stood up. His hips swayed slightly as he made his way to their nest. Just as he crossed the threshold he turned his head to Aiden.
”Toss the head. I’d rather you not fuck me with that thing in our nest.”
A feral grin spread across Aiden’s face. Hands grabbed the head.
”So you don’t want to keep the trophy?”
He teasingly said, spinning the grotesque head on his finger.
”I thought we had an agreement, no dismembered infected in the nest. If you want to keep it in here, you can sleep on the couch.”
Aiden bit back a whimper. He quickly raised the metal shutter up far enough that he could shove the head out of the crack. It slammed back down. Aiden darted across the room, swept Kyle up in his arms and carried him to the nest. He laid his gorgeous mate out in the nest and crawled over him, grinning.
Their lips met once more with a frantic passion. Purrs and chuffing filled the air of their nest. Hands roamed and tore fabric off of bodies. Teeth nipped at flesh. Aiden drank in every single pant and moan that he could tease out of his mate. The hunt to protect his mate was worth it. Anything to keep him safe and with rewards like these? He is going to make sure that his mate is pregnant before the sun rose.