(you lucky bastards)

Ezra sneakily opens the door at two in the afternoon, it was a pretty odd time to be back at home. Duncan was waiting for him to get in the house and then drive away to the packhouse but Ezra did not dare to put his foot in. The couple was back from the city after spending a whole wonderful day, a lovely night, and then a very smexy after morning. And Ezra was scared. There wasn't a single time in his eighteen years of life when he stayed out of the house. Let alone staying for this long. And the cherry on top "after mating".

"I can't!" Ezra gestured, crossing his hands, towards his mate who was giddily looking at his love's moving lips but did he catch any words from those lips? NO! He just kept looking at how more beautiful, charming, and gorgeous his mate looked now. Keyword: more. Duncan caught upon the words when Ezra's eyes glared at him breaking him from the trance.

"Go, go" Duncan urges. He was terrified, to be honest. After having a near-death beating from Easton this morning, when Ezra was in his room, he was horrified to face Austin. But like Easton suggested waiting before letting the news out to his father, if he wanted to stay alive. Austin Knight was a calm man, very calm, and that made him scary. The only person that could keep Austin in his place was Aurora. And the beta was confident about this.

Duncan already had Aurora in his bag. He was sure that wonderful woman will give them her blessings. Then there were Elias and Elena, sigh. Knights' was Duncan's second home and the Knight family was his family, of course, which is why it scared the shit out of him to even let out that he mated their second son, who is merely eighteen, without their permission. Relationships mattered than anything in this house and the couple knew it.

"Duncan" Ezra pouted and he took everything in Duncan to stop himself from pouncing on his mate and take him right here in his car. Ezra closed his eyes, making up his mind, pulled his shirt up hiding away the mating mark, and then masked his changed scent from the wooden door at the entrance. "Bye" he waved smiling at his mate who replied with a flying kiss and drove off.

The young alpha walked into the hall and yelled at the top of his lungs noticing Elias and Elena, who stood right on the opposite side of the door, hands folded and brows frowned. Ezra relaxed that it was only his siblings and not his parents. He pulled the collar of his buttoned shirt close and laughed nervously. "Don't scare me like that"

Elias examined his elder brother from head to toe, there was a different vibe coming from him. One, he was wearing a shirt with flowers on it. Two, he was sneaking into the house. Three, there was no scent coming from him. "Where were you?" the youngest member of the house asked, beating shiny red sandals which Easton gifted on her last birthday. Elena looked more cute than serious in her jeans shorts and blue t-shirt. She squinted her eyes towards her brother waiting for an answer. This look can make anyone go "aww".

But, even Elena scared Ezra now.

"F-friend's h-house" Elena was Ezra's weakness, he was afraid he would lose it and utter everything in truth if his sister asked him again.

A friend with benefits

"Silver, no"

I didn't lie.

"You and Duncan are friends? Since when?" it was Elias this time. All he has seen in the past years was Duncan avoiding Ezra with all his might. And on Ezra's eighteenth birthday, Silver outraged looking at Arion which Elias did see.

"No, not Duncan, Eli-"

"You have no friends, brother" the younger Knight savagely told his brother to which Elena nodded her agreement.

"W-wrong!" the younger alpha panicked. "I have Blake. Blake is my friend" Ezra declared. To himself or his siblings was questionable.

"But, brother Blake is not here" Elena noted. She knew well enough that her favorite person was not in the pack. He was away at his house.

"I just happen to stay at his p-place" Ezra tried confidently.

"Fine!!" the youngest got bored and walked to the couch to watch her afternoon cooking shows. A housewife's soul in a five-year-old was Elena. But, Elias was the neighborhood aunty who wants all your details.

"Spit out, I won't tell one soul" Elias whispered.

"There is nothing to tell, Eli"

"Don't call me Eli. You are acting so much like Duncan" he groans. "Or are you Duncan?" he suspiciously eyes the alpha and then pinches Ezra's cheek to remove Ezra's look-alike mask if he was wearing any.

"That hurt, Elias" Ezra pushes away his brother's hand. "Where are mom and dad?"

"Same old thing. They went on a date and will not be home tonight" Elias shuffles away towards his sister and picks up the car magazine.

"Oh," the alpha mouthed and walked to his room. Now he understood why his parents couldn't be away from each other for long. He was already craving for Duncan, even though they were drowning in each other's touch an hour ago. Guess he has to sneak his mate in just like old times, he thinks remembering Arion sneaking in to steal kisses from Silver at three in the morning.

"I miss you" he mumbles, falling on the bed and closing his eyes tiredly.

------------------------

"Three rounds from the North Gate to the South! Now!" Duncan whistles as the selected pack members start running immediately. It was early in the morning, and everyone required for the training of the so-called war was up. Duncan and Zander, along with Easton took charge of the drill session today but the beta seemed to be the only one paying attention.

Easton had no more energy to stand on his limbs but he insisted to be there at the training. The beta knew that his best friend was at his weak point. There were two more days until the full moon and it was indeed taking a toll on the unmated pair, Easton and Blake. There barely remained any strength in their bodies, also because of their act of "rejection" they were obliged to stay apart which was killing them. They haven't even met once in the past week, touching each other was another level question.

"You look like shit" Duncan comments looking pitifully at his best friend. As soon as Duncan was told about the rejection, the first thing he did was deliver a tight slap on Easton's face. Then later he was explained that how it was an act.

"I feel like shit too" Easton admits, he smiles weakly to himself. His complexion was paler than yesterday and his body was burning hot. His discolored face clearly showed the busted lip at the right corner. "I still can't eat properly thanks to your gift" Easton glares licking his almost healed yet not healed crack.

That was quite some slap. Keeping Aziel under control upon the attack was very hard.

"It was your fault telling me suddenly that you rejected Blake. That brought out my hidden energy" the beta shrugs. He found it funny that even before Easton could complete his words, his lips were bleeding thanks to his beta aka his best friend aka Duncan Long.

"You should've waited for me to complete my sentence"

"You should've started your sentence with "It was an act...". It's your fault" Duncan was least guilty.

"I hate that you are making sense right now"

"I always do"

"Whatever"

"Whatever" he imitated.

Easton watched over to his pack who was just back from three rounds. They were fast and strong. Crimson Borders was now the largest pack in California and of course the strongest. After the merge of the packs, the strength of the members increased by three times parallel to their size. They were unexpectedly mingling well, teaching each other new techniques, everything was so good. Except for the fact that their alphas were having such a hard time.

"Did you meet him?" Duncan questions buckling his shoe for further training. The alpha just shook his head a "no". "Hmm... just go back to your room. I will take care of the rest"

"But-"

"Just go" Duncan pats his alpha on the shoulder to which Easton gave in. He walked back to the packhouse and then to the brand new alpha suite. He opened the door and a gush of air passed his ears. It was all set to move in house, all full yet empty.

It was painted with brighter colors like orange and cream for the walls, in the couch area behind the bigger television to your left when you get in, you will find a larger place for the kitchen on the right, with an attached dining area in all aqua blue and white compared to a small cozy theatre opposite to the kitchen.

The theatre had floor bedding with a lot of cushions and all in black, the walls took over sea green color which made the area perfect for a midnight movie marathon and putting the area so different from the rest of the floor. There remained a projector hidden in the ceiling that would drop down when they needed a break from the home-theatre system.

There were low hanging lights with a golden touch all over the house, it brought peace to the alpha just looking at the things which Blake set for them. It broke the big man to think he wasn't able to get into the house with his mate to his side. They planned so much for this day but... He didn't spare one more glance and just walked straight to their room which was actually designed for them. Not for someone who Easton would mate in the future.

It was for Blake Jensen. Just for Easton's Blake.

He strolled into the peach color room, the bed had white mattresses with a brown duvet with a glass center table and the white door shut wardrobes. The dresser had two big sides for both of the alpha's clothes. A small section for three to five pairs of Easton's shoes and a never-ending line of Blake's. Easton took out a towel and went into the bathroom for a shower.

The bathroom was enlarged reducing the size of the bedroom. A round bathtub was set on the later side two steps above the floor. The tiles were all black with ivory white complimenting the walls. A counter with a round mirror was on the right with a white sink and black cupboards. The alpha got into the glass shower after undressing. The hot water calmed his body but his mind was preoccupied.

He hated here in this house without Blake. He ached to touch his beautiful mate but he couldn't just because someone wasn't happy about it. Shutting off the shower nob, he walks out of the room which a towel wrapped low on his waist and a small one rubbing off his hair.

I miss him.

"So, do I"

That bitch of a woman.

"She is his mother, Aziel. Stop"

The wolf growls away in anger. Neither of them had enough strength to fight anyway. Dropping his towel on the floor, he opens his side of the cupboard to take out a pair of boxers and a wife-beater. He planned to stay home the rest of the day and do some paperwork, he can't possibly go out when he looked like he would pass out with one puff of air.

Staying home until the full-moon pass was the best idea. But, it was hard. Staying in between these four walls might eat him away. It was like the house was screaming at Easton to go away if he wasn't staying in with his mate. And Easton wanted to scream back at the empty walls that he knows! He knows that this house was as worthless as he was without his mate.

He climbs down the stairs looking to his right side which had few empty frames. That reminded him that how he will fill every single frame of this wall with Blake's pictures once he gets back. Maybe he will appear in a few of them but mostly they might be of his mate.

"Stop staring. You will bore a hole in it" the voice comes from behind the alpha taking him by surprise. He turns back to find the gift he wanted, wrapped in cloths, and was sent by the Goddess just for him.

[a/n: I KNOW! Those were Easton's thoughts. He is cheesy, not me]

He gets down the steps four at once and grabs his mate by the waist, swirls them to push him against the wall in the home theatre. He latches on the lips in the next second which Blake invites with open arms.

Sparks of electricity flow through their entire body, going straight to their groins. Blake pulls his mate by the neck and kisses him back with the same passion he received. They both craved for the feeling they were experiencing at this moment.

Every touch was bringing more and more of the hunger they felt for each other. If only they could map each other at every inch of their bodies at the same time, they would. It was impossible for them to stay apart.

Easton lifts his mate by the mid-section which Blake replies by wrapping his legs around the alpha. The kiss never broke and just got more full of lust and yearning. Both of their bodies were burning due to the heat, making sweat buzz flow from every inch.

Blake grinds his hard member against his mate's abs making the alpha jerk and almost lose his grip on Blake's ass. He stables himself and pulls the closer, gripping the thick piece of meat in his hands. Blake smirks into the kiss and drags his hands all over the back of his mate.

He pulls the end of the wife-beater Easton was wearing and yanks it upwards showcasing the glowing dusky skin of his love. He runs his nails all over the back, scratching the skin which might leave some minute bruises.

Easton breaks the kiss, to pay attention to the untouched and delicate neckline. "Mine" he growls, inhaling the coffee beans scent, which was more intense due to the heat, driving the man crazy.

"Yours" Blake manages to whisper back with his eyes rolling back at the touch of the other alpha's touch on his neck. The older alpha pulls back so that Blake could remove the piece of clothing. The younger alpha removes the vest and throws it down on the floor, going back for the lips.

He kisses the alpha passionately on the lips, licking the inner of his mouth, with their tongues dancing in pleasure. He bites harshly on the already injured lips of his mate. Easton hisses in pain but dives more down in pleasure. He grips Blake tightly and walks to the bed that is laid down in the theatre area.

Gently removing the pillows from the way, he lays Blake down towering him. "I missed you" he speaks looking straight into the eyes of his mate. Blake smiles with shimmering eyes and kisses the alpha one last time before pulling back.

"I missed you too" he strokes the older man on the cheek, looking at him with adoring eyes like he was some small kid. Easton looks at his stunning mate who looked as precious as gold right now. He looked so fucking sexy with messy grown-out hair, lust hooded eyes, red swelling lips, and a bright gushed face.

He wanted to take Blake here and now, again and again. But, he wouldn't. He wanted Blake to feel comfortable enough to take the further step. Yet, one thing was for sure.

Easton Knight will definitely be suffering from blue balls.

[a/n: the way I laughed here😂]

He bit his lips to stop himself from drooling. On the other hand, Blake was mindlessly just staring at the love of his life. It has been a week since the day at Tib's house and hadn't seen his mate since then.

Every risk was acceptable to see his mate drenched in sweat, being all hot and bothered just because of him. His naked body made Blake lose it and lick all over just like ice cream and then munch away like a chocolate bar. He rose his arm to run his fingers from Easton's collarbone to his right chest and then to the left.

His whole body was engraved in tattoos which might sure carry some meanings. But, what were they? His fingers scroll down and stop on the right side of Easton's waist which had a beautiful tattoo with wild five letters.

Yours.

Blake's eyes shoot up to look at Easton who was looking anywhere but his mate with a blush staining his face. The younger alpha looks back at the tattoo and touched it gently. The skin had a bit of a swelling which told the alpha it wasn't an old tattoo.

Blake grabs Easton's face in between his hands and glares into his eyes. "Who is it for?" he asks sternly making the older alpha's eyes go wide.

"Of course for you!" he yells back. How could even Blake think it wasn't for him?

"Hehe. I know" Blake and pecks his mate on the nose. Easton scurries away in embarrassment. Blake goes back looking at the tattoo avoiding the man who was hanging just above him waiting for some action. "This is so pretty" he coos over the way, the calligraphy was done.

Easton gets annoyed that wasn't receiving any attention and a mere tattoo was more important. He yanks both of Blake's arms and pins them above his head. "Look only at me" he rasps making Blake visibly shiver with the change of tone. He admires the change of his mate's eye color that kept flicking back and forth from brown to amber ones.

"Am I understood?" Easton questions again making the eyeballs of the younger alpha's rollback. His voice was enough to give Blake an orgasm.

"Ye-yes" Blake answers back with a trembling voice.

"Yes, what?" Easton licks the utter shell of his mate's ear. Upon not being answered he bites on the ear making the lower half of Blake raise above the bed. "Yes what, Blake?"

"Y-yes, daddy" he moans.

------------------------

Samael in his room cleaning up the shelves for some new books. He arranged the old ones on the first shelf with all books in a set of series. He liked being organized. He then set the new series he ordered in the last rack. He counts the books but found them to be five and not six.

He glances his way from one corner of the room to the other and finds the third volume of the fiction novel on his father's chair. He swirls his fingers and gestures the book to find its way to his allocated space. The book follows the instruction and he frees himself from the cleaning work.

Plucking out a book from his favorite series, he turns the page to a hundred and thirty where he wanted to read the admirable part. The book was about a family that went through a lot of ups and downs yet stayed together in the end. The page he was reading was about how a poor father never gave up on dead his son and finally found him living happily and living a luxurious life, across the world. He then moved on burying the desire to meet his son again.

It was very endearing to reading something so well-written which could bring tears in even Satan's eyes. Guess Samael was worse than Satan.

He could feel every emotion in that book which twisted his heart in many ways but that didn't bring any tears.

He was not capable of crying.

You could beat him to death and he wouldn't shed a tear. His heart would break into millions of pieces but there would not a single drop of water. He was capable of feeling everything the person want to make him feel but he was broken enough not to express it.

He was not capable of conveying how bad he felt when you bullied him for his black eyes. He was not capable of telling his father to stop hurting him and that he was in pain. He was not capable of telling how much he respected his father though he meant nothing to him.

He was not capable of telling the world that he was capable of feelings! That he was capable of emotions! That he was capable of love!

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