Omega Bound Chapter 76

Thane

I can't lie. The words Ayla gifted me did bring up emotions that I had packed away for some time. It would be easy for us to both start a grief spiral. Circling the drain replaying the tragedies of our lives. At this moment our families should be here, and they aren't. 

The connection we have with each other through shared experiences is something Little Wolf and I will have forever. No matter how much it hurts. I hope with time; we are able to navigate the memories and the emotions they bring better. Process it together. Say my sister's name for fates sake, but I can't.

We can't. Not yet. The pain is there, but instead of drowning, Ayla surprises me by pulling me to her and giving me a hard, fast, desperate kiss. Our mouths meet like she is chasing her pain away. I suppose she is. We both are.

I pull back and wave at the crowd. "Go Party, Celebrate your new Luna," I yell at them in between cheers as they start the party back up. Music blares and drinks start flowing. I think Cyrus started a conga line somewhere as he is half-naked for some reason. 

"Little wolf, I have a surprise for you," I told her nervously. I don't know how she will take this gift. 

"Oh really? I don't have anything to give you," she replies back, and I can tell it hurts her, but she doesn't realize she is my gift. I do need to go over financials with her and let her know that she can run tabs in town anywhere from now on. That is when she is ready to go out on her own.

"We can stay here, or I can take you to your gift. I would much rather take you, but that is just because I am excited, and I want you alone again." I push a feeling of lust down the bond and watch her stiffen as her pupils dilate. Damn, this bond is going to take some getting used to and I am already imagining all the fun ways I can push little wolf through the bond. 

"Well, if that is what you want to do, that is what I want. I kind of need a shifter anyway. I think I am maxed out on my ability to smile at this point." I laugh knowing that she is right. This is the most socialization she has had in ten years, and I know she needs some time to decompress as do I and I need my mate.

"Well, the gift is a few minutes away. I will drive us there." I take her arm in mine and start walking her through the crowd, down the aisle, and to one of our SUVs. I want someone else to drive us so I can have Ayla all to myself in the backseat, but I am also feeling quite possessive at the moment, and I don't want anyone near my new mate. The fact I have one still has me in shock. Like I can't believe this is happening to me. I have to push back the wrong thoughts that I don't deserve it.

I reach across her and buckle her into the car while I take the opportunity to kiss her softly and place my hand inside her thigh, rubbing my thumb back and forth between her legs. I can feel the desire and the need in the bond, and it takes everything I have to pull away and not take her out and toss her on the hood and have my way with her.

We drive through the town and around the backside of the mountains that border our region. It is a longer drive than it is in our wolf form, running through the forest. I have reservations in the pit of my stomach about this gift, but I hope she feels the same way I do.

I drive up the long drive and look over watching little wolf take in all the beautiful scenery. Nestled at the base of the La Plata Mountain Range is a two-story log cabin that has been in my family for generations. Before all of this, I hadn't stepped foot here. But when I rescued little wolf, the ideas started rolling around in my head to remodel the cabin and prepare it. My home. Our home. If she wants it. I hope she does. This place holds a lot of memories for me. Good and bad, but I want to make new ones here, with her.

The cabin sits nestled in the trees overlooking Lake Nighthorse. It is vast and beautiful with a boat dock, outdoor gazebo, gardens, and the whole nine yards. I wanted Ayla to have her own home that felt like a home and still have her sense of protection from the world.

"What is this place, Thane?" she looks confused and nervous. I place my hand on her thigh as I park the car. 

"This is our family cabin. It was left to me by my grandfather, and I always intended it as my final home. One I would live in with my mate. I never stepped foot in it after my parents died and up until I rescued you, it was pretty much empty. When you came to the pack I decided to start working on it, finishing it. Ronan was driving me to finish our home hard and I wasn't sure why. Now I know. He could sense his mate was close, but never quite sure. It makes sense now; how many times he pushed me to be with you and protect you. This here is my home. Away from the pack house and the city. I want to still protect you Ayla, but I also want to give you a life that you deserve and that starts with your first home. So, what I am trying to ramble on about is that your gift is here. Right here. This home. Our home. Hopefully, If you like it that is. If not, we can leave, I will give you whatever you want little wolf, all you have to do is ask." 

I didn't think I would get quite so nervous explaining my gift to Little Wolf, but we are mated now. I can't have her living amongst unmated shifters, but I didn't want to jar her with new surroundings, possibly setting her back in her recovery.

She cups my face with her little, soft hand and looks up at me, her eyes darting back and forth over mine. "Can we go inside?" She asks and I am out of the car and around to her door as quickly as I can dash to her. 

I take her hand and walk her up the stamped concrete walk and the stairs to the wrap-around porch. She smiles when she sees it and I hope she is imagining pups running around out here like I am. Pups with fated mate giftings? That could be interesting, but I decided to file that away for later. I am not going to push her into anything she isn't ready for.

I open the doors and walk her into the large open-concept living room that adjoins the kitchen and dining area. The cabin is cozy with overstuffed furnishings and soft warm lighting. Comfortable furniture for pups to jump on and run around on. Soft lighting because omegas prefer darker areas, and Ayla will start manifesting more omega traits as soon as her heat nears. The living area has a large, stone fireplace.