Page 21 of Ascendant Moon (Gladstone Shifters #6)
Since Nick enjoyed greater endurance and a quick refractory period, he spent the afternoon as a sexual guinea pig.
Gray learned various ways to bring his mate to orgasm, while sampling the smorgasbord of available techniques and positions.
The toys came out to play as well, sparing Gray an achy groin right out of the gate.
This approach also had the advantage of increasing his confidence and getting to know his firecracker mate—inside and out.
Following their last session, the pair paused to change the sheets, prep and shower for later, and enjoy a meal in the country kitchen.
By the time they got to dessert, Nick had crawled into Gray’s lap while they fed each other a delicious, honey-sweetened berry crumble.
Both men were hard as iron and eager to finally get to the good stuff they’d been putting off all afternoon.
Nick growled up a storm, sending constant vibrations to Gray’s cock—lodged in his mate’s warm crack.
After the last bite, they abandoned the dirty dishes and hurried to the bedroom for some serious lovemaking.
Nick wasn’t shy about what he wanted, either.
“I want to feel you all the way to my tonsils. Do you want to pound me into the mattress, or should I ride you?”
Now past the blushing stage, Gray didn’t need any more explanation than that to get busy.
“You can ride me next time, Nick. Can I take you from behind?”
In record time, Nick got into position with his head down and plump ass in the air while Gray grabbed a couple of towels and the lube. One by one, he worked three greased-up fingers into his mate’s back passage—Nick growling and thrashing at the welcome intrusion before barking out an order.
“Come on, come on. Get it in there!”
Eager to comply, he slicked up and slid inside his beautiful mate for the first time. The heat and friction took Gray by surprise and he was afraid he’d cum then and there. Nick, however, wasn’t on board for any delay in the action.
“Yes! Hard and fast, baby.”
The sensations were overwhelming; Nick’s warm, tight channel squeezing his dick as he sawed in and out.
Gray wasn’t sure how long he’d last, and the sounds coming from his mate only added fuel to the fire.
Remembering the man’s sensitive nipples, he reached around to pinch and twist, triggering Nick’s orgasm.
Untouched, his cock shot ribbons of cum over the bedding, soaking the sheets.
Gray followed suit, filling the man’s channel with seed in powerful spurts that never seemed to end.
He waited a few moments to catch his breath and then gently pulled out.
Nick covered the wet spot with a towel, lay on his back, and invited Gray to be his blanket while they smooched. Finally, Nick spoke.
“Mmm… you’re a natural. That was the best one so far, and I loved it. Let’s rest awhile before we switch it up, okay?”
Gray mumbled his assent, rolled them onto their sides, and continued the kisses.
Though he knew Nick wouldn’t hurt him on purpose, he was nervous about being on the receiving end of things.
What if he didn’t like it? What if Nick wasn’t satisfied?
The fear of being less than what an experienced shifter needed brought up the fears he’d been trying to hide all day.
Nick noticed the change in his scent and sat up in the bed.
“Nope. None of that, mate. I want to know what you’re thinking in that handsome head of yours. Here, I'll sit up against the headboard and you lay back against me. You and I are going to have a nice talk while I hold you.”
Comforting Omega pheromones flooded the room, and by the time Gray was snuggled up against Nick’s chest, his scent had almost returned to normal. Nick peppered his shoulder, neck and temple with tiny kisses, waiting for his mate to spill. It didn’t take long.
“How can I ever be enough for you? I’m just a human, Nick, and you’re… well you’re stronger, faster, and just better all around. Aren’t you disappointed to be mated to me instead of another shifter?”
Neither Nick nor his wolf liked hearing those words, growling in disagreement while sharp claws threatened to make an appearance.
“No, I’m not disappointed. Out of billions of people, Luna chose you as my perfect match. How could you not be enough? Listen, I know there are differences, and that we’ll need to make adjustments, but those things aren’t as important as you think.”
Gray’s scent soured again, and Nick realized that his words weren’t helping. Damn! He didn’t want to confuse his mate with too much information, but there didn’t seem to be any choice. He had to make him understand.
“Sorry, Gray, I’m not explaining this very well.
When two shifters mate, they usually spend several days having sex and learning about one another.
At some point, they exchange bites that bind them together.
They’ll never want anyone else, and their scents change, too; a combination that also gets passed down to their children.
“For mixed couples like us, it doesn’t work quite the same way.
We’d have a different type of bond, though the longer we’re together the stronger it will get.
Over time, being with me will cause changes in your body: better health, longer life, stronger muscles, and increased stamina.
Your senses will improve, too, and our scents will change to include one another. ”
Gray’s conversation with RJ a few days ago had revealed some of the same things, and it seemed to give the human partner some wonderful advantages. He’d feel a lot less inferior if he underwent the changes Nick mentioned, but he sensed that there was more to the story.
“I think becoming more like you would really help, but you don’t sound too excited about it. What aren’t you telling me?”
Gray deserved an honest answer, but this wouldn’t be easy for him to understand.
“The bond between two shifters is permanent , Gray. Except for death, we’ll never leave or want anyone else.
Our bond won’t be like that. It can get stronger over time, but you have the ability to walk away.
I watched it happen to my parents, so when you talk about not being enough for me, it brings it all back.
“What you don’t realize is that you have another decision to make.
In León, most of the pack’s mates were human before being turned.
You have the same choice, and if you agree, we could enjoy a permanent bond like other shifter couples.
Whatever you decide, human or shifter, I want you in my life. Please don’t leave me!”
Gray’s mind scrabbled to make sense of what Nick had just told him.
“Turned? Do you mean I can be changed into a shifter?”
Nick pulled him closer, nuzzling his ear.
“Yes. It’s not a difficult process and only takes a few days, but then you would be like me. It can’t be undone, so you have to be sure before agreeing to it.”
Amazing! Gray had no idea humans could be turned. Even RJ didn’t mention the possibility, though it would have solved the problem of him and Jonah being childless. Something didn’t add up here, but Gray had no desire or intention to leave Nick—it was actually the opposite!
Turning around, Gray wiped away the tears running down Nick’s worried face. In a strange twist, it was now his turn to comfort the Omega.
“We’re just getting started, and don’t really know each other well, but I don’t want to leave you. I can’t explain it, but you feel right—we feel right together. I need some time to think about becoming a shifter, but I’m not going anywhere, Nick.”
In a lightning-fast move only a shifter could manage, Nick had Gray on his back and was smothering him with growly kisses. Sandwiched between, their dicks sprang back to life as passion replaced the angsty discussion that had sidetracked their plans. Nick made his intentions clear.
“Gonna open you up. Stretch you with my cock. Claim that ass.”
Though Gray trusted Nick to be easy on him, it was his first time.
He was a skilled lover, and Gray eagerly surrendered to his bossy, passionate mate.
Nick licked and sucked his way down Gray's torso while his hand stroked and fondled his cock and balls. After a short pause in the action to grab the lube, Nick’s slick fingers wiggled their way into Gray’s back passage, searching for his prostate.
He found it, and Gray almost levitated off the mattress—loud moans and grunts mixing with Nick’s excited growls.
It wasn’t long before all four of Nick’s fingers were inside, stretching and thrusting until Gray begged for more.
Lifting the man’s legs, Nick teased the dusky opening with the weepy head of his cock before breaching his mate’s channel.
His wolf wanted to plunge inside with one swift stroke, but Nick was too big, and Gray was too tight for that.
Instead, he rocked in and out, inching his way inside Gray’s body.
To distract him from the discomfort, Nick lubed up Gray’s cock and began fisting him with light strokes from root to tip.
Soon enough, he’d eased all the way inside and began thrusting.
Overwhelmed with sensation and the need for more contact, Gray reached out to pull Nick down for savage kisses.
Lost in one another and surrounded by pheromones, the lovers reached their peak together.
Eyes aglow, Nick reared back to plunge even deeper into Gray’s convulsing body, filling him with fragrant cum.
At the same time, Gray’s cock fired off an explosive load with an intensity he’d not yet experienced.
Muscles randomly twitched as the orgasm petered out, and Gray opened his eyes to find Nick kneeling between his legs, watching him with a blissed-out expression.
“You’re incredible, mate. I hope you liked it, cause now I’m hooked.”
Gray laughed, pulling him down for more kisses while they cooled off. Later, they helped each other in the shower, changed the sheets on the bed, and enjoyed a snack before turning in. Gray, who’d never had anyone to snuggle, held Nick close until they fell asleep.
############
The next day
At mid-morning, a knock on the door interrupted the new couple’s late breakfast. After a scramble to put on more clothing, Gray found Perdy waiting to collect their dirty laundry and see if they needed anything.
“We do this for all the pack newlymates. It lets you focus on one another without being interrupted by unimportant things. I’ll be bringing you hot meals and collecting your laundry every day until you’re ready to get out and about.
And don’t worry—I won’t interrupt when you’re busy.
Gray, Donna told me to remind you to take your pain meds every six hours and drink plenty of fluids.
Nick, Dante and Sergio would like you to join them for a quick run, if you’re up for it.
They’re waiting in the meadow, next to the challenge circle. ”
While Perdy gathered the laundry, they finished their meal and then agreed to take a little break.
Gray needed to make a phone call, and while Nick didn’t want to leave his mate’s side, his wolf needed to stretch his legs.
He threw on a pair of loose shorts, thoroughly kissed his mate, and let his nose guide him to the meeting place.
Now alone, Gray grabbed his phone and dialed a very familiar number. Walter picked up on the second ring.
“Gray! I was hoping you would call. Are you enjoying your visit to Gladstone?”
“Hello, grandfather. Yes, it’s wonderful here, and just as you described it. I have something important to tell you; are you alone?”
“The car has been acting up, and Tayen took it in for repair. Is everything all right?”
Eager to unburden his mind, Gray said it straight out.
“I’ve met my mate, grandfather. He’s an Omega shifter named Nick Garcia. Jack brought him to Gladstone with two of his friends from the León pack in Mexico.”
Walter cleared his throat—a habit of his when he was uncertain what to say.
“That’s quite a surprise for so early on a Monday morning! I’m happy for you, of course, but do you understand how this will change your life? You’ll have to be very careful around the family, and some of them may not appreciate your choice of a partner.”
Now came the difficult part, and Gray worried that Walter would discourage him.
“There’s more. Nick wants to turn me—make me into a shifter and complete the mating bond. I want to know what you think.”
Walter’s surprised gasp carried clearly over the phone line.
“Why, Gray, I didn’t know it was possible!
I deeply admire shifters, as you already know, and I’ll admit to being a bit jealous.
Only you can make the choice, but it will forever change your relationships and family ties.
For what it’s worth, I believe Gray Feather would have embraced such an opportunity for himself.
Perhaps… perhaps this is your destiny, Grandson—to bridge the gap between our peoples.
Still, I urge you to get some advice from Jack or others at Gladstone before you make a decision. ”
Gray released his anxiety at the sound of Walter’s soothing and accepting words.
“Thank you, Grandfather. I asked Nick for time to think about it, but even if he doesn’t turn me, I want to be his mate. Being with him feels right, though I’m not sure I can explain it.”
They spoke briefly about Walter’s health and other family matters before Gray ended the call with a promise to keep his grandfather informed.
Having the man’s support would make his decision easier, and yet it sharpened his fear that the cancer would deprive him of that support when he needed it the most.