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Amber eyes flashed at him in return, Aaron’s wolf making his presence known. It had happened more in the last few days. A sign Aaron’s wolf was stronger, Alice had reassured them.
“How long have you been Alpha, Aaron?” Richard asked.
“I took over nearly four years ago when I turned thirty,” Aaron replied, his smile warm, although Marshall could see a line of fine tension in his shoulders.
“That’s quite young, isn’t it? I thought alphas traditionally took over in their forties or fifties.”
“That is more usual, yes. However, my grandfather passed suddenly, making my father Alpha in his early twenties. I was a toddler and my brother a newborn when Dad became Alpha. We decided, as a family, that I’d take over when I was thirty so Mom and Dad could have many years of retirement, seeing as they missed out on so much with Dad taking the Pack on so early in his adult life.”
“And you didn’t mind?” Marshall asked. Surprisingly, they’d not discussed this during their week of
getting to know each other. They touched on the fact that Vaughn had taken early retirement but not why.
“No. I was Dad’s shadow when I was little. Mom would often find me curled up on the couch in his office.”
Anna’s bright laugh echoed from the end of the table. “He was so cute. He’d take a coloring book and crayons and pretend to take notes when Vaughn was on the phone or in meetings. Fortunately, most of the Pack Elders were more than happy to have an enthusiastic pup running around their feet. It’s part of why he’s such a good Alpha now. He learned so much at his father’s knee.”
Marshall grinned as his mate blushed at his mother’s words. Aaron ran his foot along Marshall’s calf, sending a bolt of desire through him.
“When do you plan to have the mating ceremony?” Claire asked.
“We don’t want a big fuss, Mom,” Marshall told her, dragging his eyes away from Aaron. “We thought we might just have a simple, private ceremony with immediate family, and then, as befitting Aaron’s status as Pack Alpha, a party a few days later.”
“Hmm. I’m not sure if we—“ Anna began before Aaron cut her off.
“It’s what we want, Mom. I know we have to acknowledge my mating with more ceremony than a normal pack member, but I’ve never wanted a big thing. You can invite whoever you like to the party, but the actual ceremony is for Marshall and me.”
Anna looked like she was going to protest again but acquiesced at a sharp glance from her husband.
The rest of the dinner was taken up with general chatter and conversation, with Claire sharing stories of Marshall and Saint’s antics when they were younger and Anna returning the favor about Aaron and Josh.
By the time the evening came to a close, Marshall was almost coming out of his skin. He thanked Anna and Vaughn for hosting before walking his parents to the small guest suite they were staying in for the night. They would head back to Stone City with Saint the following morning.
After bidding his parents good night and promising his mother they would have time for a private conversation before they left, he headed to Aaron’s apartment. He desperately needed to see his mate.
Chapter 16
ClosingthedoortoAaron’s suite, Marshall leaned against it with a sigh. It had been a pleasant but long evening, not helped by the heat in Aaron’s gaze every time they looked at each other. He slipped his shoes and socks off, stretching his feet. He hadn’t worn dress shoes in a while, and his sore feet reminded him why he preferred sneakers, combat boots, or even better, bare feet.
He could hear movement in the bedroom area and, with a smile, pushed away from the door. Maybe he could get Aaron to give him a foot rub, as well as other things. He flicked off the single lamp next to the couch on his way past, plunging the room into moonlit gloom.
His step faltered as he crossed the threshold. Aaron was shirtless, his beautiful shirt a copper-colored puddle on the floor. Marshall raised an eyebrow; it was unlike Aaron to drop clothes where they fell.
As their eyes met, Aaron’s hand went to his belt buckle. He undid it and popped the button on his fine wool slacks. The intensity of his stare had Marshall’s mouth drying up.
For once, Aaron looked like the predator he was. Marshall didn’t move. He knew better than to show any sign of flight or fear. Not that he feared Aaron. He knew the shifter would never hurt his mate. As Aaron stalked towards him, Marshall lifted his chin, never breaking his gaze.
“Mine,” Aaron growled, the heat of his body pouring over Marshall as he stopped a few inches away.
Amber eyes flashed, and Marshall could see Aaron’s wolf was close to the surface. He slowly reached out a hand and traced a line from Aaron’s shoulder down his chest, flicking at his nipple on the way. The nub hardened instantly, and goosebumps broke out on Aaron’s flesh. Marshall stopped his traverse at the top of Aaron’s waistband, resting his hand lightly on the muscled abs.
“Mine,” he echoed back.
“Yes,” Aaron agreed huskily. “I can’t wait any longer, Marshall. I need to claim you tonight. I need the world to know you are mine.”
Marshall swallowed. He wanted that, too. His head and heart were still warring over whether his feelings were real or soul bond induced, but, like Aaron, he couldn’t wait any longer. He needed to have all of this man.
He nodded his agreement and Aaron was on him in less than a heartbeat, fusing their mouths. Marshall let him control the kiss, resting his hands on Aaron’s waist as their tongues dueled. Aaron’s earthy scent enveloped him, and he took a gasping breath as Aaron ripped his mouth away to nip down Marshall’s throat.
