“Your fur is so soft.” Ewen ran both hands through it now, fingers working behind Lamont’s ears in a way that had his hound’s back leg twitching. “I wasn’t expecting that. I thought you’d be all smoke and heat, but you’re just...soft.”
Lamont’s hound rumbled, a deep sound of contentment. He’d let Ewen pet him forever if that’s what his mate wanted.
But then Ewen paused, looking down at the collar box still sitting between them. “You’re probably waiting for this, right? We should probably do the actual claiming part before I spend the next hour giving you scritches. Is that what you think?”
Lamont’s hound nudged the box, then Ewen’s hand, then the box again.
“Subtle.” Ewen laughed, and the sound was better than anything Lamont had heard in what felt like forever. “Alright, let me just...” He lifted the collar carefully, using both hands. The thing was heavy, designed to fit around a hellhound’s neck, and the gems caught the light as Ewen held it up. “Okay. So, I just...put this on you?”
Lamont’s hound sat up straighter, stretching his neck forward to make it easier. His heart pounded so hard he knew Ewen could probably hear it.
“You’re really excited about this, aren’t you?” Ewen’s voice was soft. He reached out with the collar, opening it wide. “I do realize this is a big deal - it means a lot to me, as well. Okay. Here we go.”
The moment the leather touched Lamont’s neck, the world shifted. The collar settled into place, and then the two ends clicked together with a sound that resonated through Lamont’sbones. Power flooded through the bond - ancient magic that Lord Hades had woven into the collars a millennium ago, binding the hellhound to his mate in a way that nothing and no one could break.
As the connection settled, suddenly Lamont could feel Ewen. Not just physically present, but there, in a way he’d never felt anyone before. He sensed Ewen’s relief, his happiness, his fox settling contentedly now that their mate wore their claim. The bond thrummed between them, golden and silver threads already weaving together.
Then congratulations slammed into him through the pack bond, making him jump.
FINALLY!That was Damon, his mental voice practically shouting.I knew you’d be next. I just knew it!
About damn time.Giorgio sounded amused and pleased.Welcome to the club, brother.
Seven down, five to go. Beau’s mental words carried the satisfaction that came from a man who had already built his new family and was loving every minute of it.Well done, Lamont.
Congrats!Farron, Kolton, Cain, and the others all chimed in, sending a buzz of approval through their bond. His brothers. His pack. All celebrating that Lamont had finally, finally found what they’d all been waiting for.
Lamont’s hound couldn’t help himself. The collar sat perfectly around his neck. Ewen’s scent was everywhere, and the bond hummed with just how right it was.
He leaped up, hitting the floor with a thud that shook the room as he landed again. Then he ran circuits around the hotel room at full speed, until even that wasn’t enough. He jumped over thedesk, dodged the chair, and leaped back onto the bed where he spun in a circle before jumping off again.
“Lamont!” Ewen was laughing loudly as he clutched onto his blanket. “What are you…”
Lamont’s hound barked, the sound echoing off the walls. He ran another lap, then jumped on the bed again, this time flopping on his side next to Ewen and wiggling his whole body.
“Are you… Was that you having the zoomies?” Ewen stared at him, then burst out laughing again. “You’re an ancient hellhound from the Underworld, and you’re having zoomies. I can’t believe it.”
The hound didn’t care. He rolled onto his back, paws in the air, his butt wagging so hard his entire body shook. Ewen was his mate. The collar proved it. Every member of his pack knew it. And his hound was so overwhelmed with happiness that running and jumping and wiggling were the only ways to express it.
Ewen’s hand came down to rub his belly, and Lamont’s hound went completely still except for his frantically wagging back end. “You’re ridiculous,” Ewen said, but his voice was warm. Fond. “Absolutely ridiculous.”
Who cares?The belly rubs were heaven. Lamont’s back leg kicked involuntarily when Ewen hit a particularly good spot, and he heard his mate laugh again.
Having fun?Damon’s mental voice sounded amused.Try not to destroy any furniture.
No promises, Lamont shot back, too happy to care about anything else. He could always fix any breakages with a wave of his hand.
He rolled upright, gave himself a shake, then pressed his massive head against Ewen’s chest. His mate’s arms camearound him, hugging his neck, and Lamont rumbled with contentment.
“I can feel you,” Ewen said quietly. “Through the bond. It’s... strange. A good strange, but definitely strange.”
The hound licked his face, and Ewen sputtered. “Okay, no. We’re not doing that. I just got clean.” But Ewen was smiling and scratching behind Lamont’s ears again. “Though I have to admit, this is much better than yesterday with the whole pining away in a basement scenario.”
The reminder sobered Lamont’s hound instantly. He whined, pressing closer, trying to communicate that he’d never let Ewen be hurt again.
“Hey, it’s okay.” Ewen’s fingers combed through his fur. “I’m here. We’re both here. And according to Lord Hades, I’m immortal now, so...no more almost dying, and I assume with this bond we share, you can always find me if I go missing again.”
Lamont shifted back to human form without thinking, needing to speak. “Never again. There won’t be another time like this, I swear, Ewen. If you go somewhere, I go with you. I mean it. I’ll never let anyone hurt you again.”