AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Now Oscar’s suggestion seemed utterly silly and juvenile. He glanced over his shoulder at his beloved, still involved in a spirited discussion about flowers.
His soft, adoring man. At least currently. Other times he was a possessive, ferocious beast. And he wouldn’t have it any other way.
“No, thank you,” he replied with a quiet confidence he hadn’t ever felt. “I know his heart. He’s a good person.” Maybe even the best he knew.
“Precisely,” Galen replied with a knowing glance. “I’m glad you’ve found each other again.”
Once they retired for the night in their comfortable room, they tossed and turned restlessly, perhaps due to all that had transpired in the past few days. Or perhaps because so tucked away, it was too quiet.
They had a perfectly fine bed, but found themselves padding outside instead, to kiss and touch and fuck, slowly and quite indulgently, under the stars.
As wolves did.
Epilogue
One Year Later
Solar’s Edge
Bellamy laid the brush down and stood back, admiring the deep maroon color he’d painted the door. It was Galen’s idea. Galen had shifted from using pencils to paintbrushes, and his work was so vibrant, Bellamy had asked him for suggestions. He’d settled on three separate colors, two used for the trim, much like some of the lavish houses he’d always admired in Lunar’s Reach.
Not that they would have many visitors in the remote countryside, but it mattered to him. To Ashwood too, as he stood beside him, admiring his handiwork. These were the finishing touches on a place they would call home.
“It’s perfect,” Ashwood said and kissed his cheek.
“I still can’t believe it’s ours.” Bellamy turned toward him, stepping into a gentle embrace. He knew he was sweaty and likely still had flecks of paint in his hair, but this was an important moment.
“You told Galen he was worthy of owning land,” Ashwood said into his hair. “You are as well.”
Bellamy nuzzled his neck. “And you.”
“I’ve never had any place to call my own.” Ashwood’s eyes turned glassy, and Bellamy had the urge to kiss away the tears threatening to fall.
Bellamy held him for another long moment before Ashwood pulled back and straightened his waistcoat. They’d had to acquire more clothing since their arrival at Solar’s Edge, and he looked quite handsome this morning.
“You’ll be late if you don’t hurry.” Bellamy aligned his neckcloth. “And be sure to extend an invitation to Azriel for him and Galen to join us for dinner upon our return.”
That evening they would be boarding a train to Widow’s Keep to visit a special friend, with Galen and Azriel’s promise of joining them next time.
“I will.”
One more kiss, and then Bellamy watched his beloved walk down the path to the apothecary.
He stood back and marveled at the small structure he’d transformed mostly with his own hands.
They’d been exploring the area in their wolf forms one evening, soon after they’d arrived in Solar’s Edge, and come across a small carriage house and horse stable in the woods. Afraid they’d trespassed on someone’s property, they’d circled it cautiously, but soon noted that though the place was in rather decent condition, it stood empty.
Upon their return to the cottage, they’d asked about it. Galen and Azriel had been uncertain who owned it, so the four of them had inquired of Mr. Browning at the apothecary, and apparently, the structures had once been used by the Blackburn family.
“Did Mr. Blackburn own horses?” Ashwood had asked.
Galen winced. “I think that’s how his beloved—Arthur—died. A fall from a horse.”
“That is correct,” Mr. Browning confirmed glumly. “Afterward, he sold the horses and abandoned the carriage house, never to visit it again. Subsequently, he left to rent a room in Lunar’s Reach, close to a business associate he’d become reacquainted with.”
The story was a melancholy one, and Bellamy took particular interest in the stable and carriage house, visiting the structures on walks and imagining Mr. Blackburn’s life with his Arthur. He’d also returned to their gravesides on occasion, and had become invested in their lives. Whenever he had the occasion, he’d ask Galen and Mr. Browning for any random details they knew of them.
“You should make the carriage house your own,” Azriel had said one night over dinner. “The stable too if that’s what you wish.”
“I wouldn’t even know where to begin,” Bellamy admitted.
“Perhaps it’s time to find out,” Galen said.
“But they belong to you. It’s your property.”
“It was a generous gift, and now we are bestowing a portion of it on you. You can live there or use it however you see fit.”
Bellamy had glanced at Ashwood, who’d seemed just as bowled over. “I don’t know what to say.”
Galen smiled. “The proper response would be yes.”
And Bellamy accepted, soon realizing how much he enjoyed working with his hands. He’d never had the chance to be discerning with his aspirations, and he felt deeply grateful for the opportunity. It was slow and careful work, but he restored the inside of the carriage house, transforming it from a storage shed into a suitable home. The stable was left alone, but Ashwood thought perhaps they might enjoy owning horses someday.
