“It is when he’s an Omega,” Ollie insisted. “When was the last time an Omega became a Ruler? I mean, before Ian?”
Mac paused for a moment, then said, “I don’t know…but I’m sure it’s happened.”
“Maybe…or maybe not. My point is, it doesn’t seem fair that everyone got a gift other than you,” Ollie pouted.
“I got exactly what I’ve always wanted…a mate, and that’s the best gift of all,” Mac murmured next to Ollie’s ear. “And for that, I’ll be forever thankful to the Fates.” Then, after giving his mate a love bite on his neck, Mac added, “Besides, your gift is enough for both of us…Silent Zephyr…so unique…just like you, my love.”
Warmth filled Ollie at his mate’s words. It was a feeling he hadn’t had since his parents died; he’d almost forgotten what love felt like, even though he knew Theo and his parents loved him. But the unconditional love radiating from Mac was so much more since it erased his self-doubts about who he was and replaced them with the confidence that he was worthy of that love.
Raising his head from his pillow, Ollie looked tenderly at Mac, giving him a soft smile. “I’m lucky too…I never thought the Fates would give me such a kind and caring mate. After my parents died, I thought my life was over, but then I found a purpose when I became a nurse. Helping and taking care of others who needed me eased my grief and showed me that there was more to life.”
Mac brushed a tendril of Ollie’s hair off his forehead before leaning forward to kiss his mate’s lips softly. Then locking his eyes with Ollie’s, he crooned, “I love you, Oliver…forever and ever…whatever you want, I will get for you…whatever you need, I will give to you…and whatever the future brings, I will be with you always because you are my everything.”
The warmth of Mac’s words helped destroy the tentacles of fear that had enveloped Ollie’s heart when he first learned about his role in saving their world. It was a role he never wanted, but now, with Mac at his side, he no longer feared the future. “I love you too, my mate, from the bottom of my heart, and no matter what happens in our life, I will always be there for you,” Ollie said. Then, grinning, he added, “No matter what shenanigans your twin gets into.”
A burst of laughter erupted from Mac. “You say that now but wait until Sawyer becomes a father—he’s already looking forward to having a buddy that will join him in all his escapades. I only hope Glenn and Alex will be able to stop him…or at least limit the sports my brother will want to teach his son.”
“Oh, pucky-ducky…I’d better become proficient at bandaging, cuz it appears that will be in my future.”
“That can wait,” Mac said, smiling. “We should get some rest before tonight.”
“Right, I want to be the little spoon,” Ollie said, rolling over on his side.
Doing the same, Mac pulled Ollie to his chest and wrapped his arm around him. “That leaves the big spoon position for me…mmm…perfect.”
Smiling, Ollie wiggled his butt against Mac’s groin, feeling his mate’s cock respond to him.
“Not now,” Mac chuckled, “or we’ll never get any sleep.”
“But…”
“Nope…we are gonna need our energy for the mission tonight, but I promise you, once that’s over, nothing, and I mean nothing, is gonna stop our mating.”
“Promise?” Ollie whispered.
“Absolutely!”
~/~/~/~/~
Crossing the great room, Jackson reached the front door, opening it and stepping out onto the porch just in time to see Tristan and Heath emerge from their vehicle. His eyes roamed over to his cousin, who was readjusting his jeans, and then shifted to focus on Heath’s red swollen lips. Laughing, he called out, “Don’t fucking tell me he made you blow him while he was driving,” he yelled to Heath.
“Fuck off,” Tristan responded. “We wouldn’t have to resort to drastic measures if a certain someone would stop interrupting us.”
“Hey, I said I was sorry,” Jackson responded, smirking.
Tristan stopped at the base of the front steps and glared up at his cousin. “Twice, Jackson, twice…and you only apologized one time.”
“You’re counting now?” asked Jackson.
“Ignore my grumpy mate,” Heath said to Jackson. “He’s got no reason to be upset. I’m taking care of him just fine.”
Tristan stared at his mate for a moment and then muttered, “I can’t believe you just said that to my cousin. Now he’ll think he can call anytime.”
“Maybe you should send me a text telling me when it’s hanky-panky time,” Jackson said, laughing. “That way I’ll know when to call.”
Turning back to his cousin, Tristan grumbled, “It’s none of your business when we fuck, so you can take your text idea and shove it up your…”
Interrupting his mate, Heath said, “What did you want to ask us that was so secret you couldn’t do it by phone?”