Page 58 of Ascendant Moon (Gladstone Shifters #6)

Saturday morning

Lincoln drifted up slowly from the depths of a refreshing slumber, still pressed against his warm mate.

Scooter’s marvelous scent surrounded him, bringing a sense of contentment and safety that went far beyond simple comfort.

A sudden rustling near the bedroom door awakened him fully, and he lifted his head to find Evan delivering a stack of clothing and shoes for his mate.

It was only natural that Scooter would spend most of his time in human form, and would need to be dressed, but the thought of the huge Beta towering over him sent shivers down his spine.

Though still asleep, Scooter picked up the fear in Lincoln’s scent and awoke with a start.

His eyes swept the room, nose twitching as he parsed the air for any threat to his beautiful mate.

Satisfied that there was none, he released a loud snort and turned to groom Lincoln’s face with his tongue.

His mate relaxed enough to return the favor, enjoying what, in human form, would be a morning make-out session.

Just as their pheromones took on the distinct scent of desire, Evie came running into the room and climbed up on the bed to scratch their ears.

“Good morning, Lincoln! Good morning, Scooter! It’s time for breakfast and we’re having waffles. Come on!”

Scooter’s slightly aggrieved growl went unnoticed as Evie took off, but being cock-blocked by a sweet little girl was more than frustrating!

Lincoln jumped down off the bed, chuffing at his mate’s frustration, though grateful for the interruption.

He wasn’t ready for sex just yet, though Scooter would be hard to resist. Actually, his pregnancy hormones hadn’t bothered him for several days, and even after meeting his mate, they were only mildly annoying.

Frankly, he didn’t miss the mindless urge to be knotted, though Scooter might think there was something wrong with him.

His mate had shifted, glorious body on display as he began to dress, and it seemed a shame to cover it up.

The movements were both swift and graceful, and Lincoln wondered if Scooter was hurrying for his sake.

In another six weeks, he’d be able to shift again, and his mate had no idea what he looked like—naked or otherwise.

Would he be disappointed? Would intimacy be awkward and clumsy?

In a sense, they’d have to re-start their relationship after the pup arrived.

After all, Lincoln was practically a virgin and knew nothing about pleasing a mate.

On top of that, they’d have an infant to care for and no child rearing experience.

The challenges seemed daunting, but at least they’d have each other to lean on.

Scratch that. They’d have the entire pack to help and advise them if needed, and that was saying something.

Scooter finished dressing and kneeled down to glide gentle hands along Lincoln’s coat.

Being eye to eye wasn’t nearly as scary, and he leaned into the petting.

“So beautiful. I know you’re still kinda scared of me, but I wouldn’t think of hurting you. My mate. Mine . Let’s eat, sweetheart, and then go for a run or whatever you want to do. Okay?”

Lincoln nodded and then licked Scooter’s face before rubbing against him, covering his mate with scent. Together, they reported to the dining room for a scrumptious breakfast, and a little taste of future family life.

############

While Ben took the kids to the playground, Evan presented the newlymates with a set of his Preggo Project flash cards and showed Scooter how to use them.

“I’ve drawn up a series of questions you can use to get acquainted.

It will be slow going for Lincoln since he can’t talk, so be patient with him, Scooter.

Use the cards, make logical guesses when you aren’t sure, and offer lots of yes or no questions to make it easier for your mate.

I’m sure that once Lincoln can shift again, you’ll still have a lot to talk about!

“Today is just to learn a few things about each other so it doesn’t feel like you’re mated to a complete stranger.

If it’s not working and you get frustrated, take a break and go for a run.

Donna wants Lincoln to get daily exercise anyway, so investigate the packlands—just be sure to let security know.

Feel free to use the living room while I go see Jack.

Cody’s off today, so you’ll have the place to yourselves for a while. ”

Evan gave each of them a hug and left the house. Scooter sat down on the big leather couch where he could see the cards laid out on the floor. They began with the basic stuff.

“Okay. The first one is “name.” Mine is Nate Scoon, no middle name, and most people call me Scooter. Yours is Lincoln Hart, but do you have a middle name or a nickname?”

Lincoln nodded and spelled it out for him.

“Middle name is Joseph, and your nickname is Linc. Okay. Even I can remember that one! Next up is “birthday.” Mine is September fourteenth, and I’m twenty-one.”

Lincoln looked surprised, thinking his mate was a few years older than that. He used the cards to answer for himself, and it was Scooter’s turn to be surprised.

“So yours is June seventh, and you’re eighteen ? It’s hard to tell when somebody’s in wolf form!”

They continued through several more.

Home? Scooter—Gulliver, MI / Lincoln—mostly Eagle River.

Siblings? Scooter—not sure / Lincoln—no.

Least favorite food? Scooter—cabbage / Lincoln—oranges.

Favorite season? Scooter—spring / Lincoln—fall.

Can you dance? Scooter—yes / Lincoln—teach me.

Neat or slob? Scooter—neat / Lincoln—in between.

Want more kids? Scooter—yes / Lincoln—maybe.

Lincoln’s scent revealed that the last one was a touchy subject.

Scooter put down the list and patted his thighs.

Lincoln hesitated for a moment and then jumped up to stretch out over his lap.

Scooter immediately began light strokes across his neck, pregnant belly, and flank.

It felt so good that Lincoln forgot to be nervous.

Only then did the big man begin to speak.

“Let me tell you something, mate. I know you didn’t choose to get pregnant, but you still want the pup and so do I.

You’re a package deal, see, and I have enough love for the both of you.

Honestly, I’d love to have a bunch of kids, but you get to choose, with no pressure from me.

If we do, I’ll treat them all the same.”

Lincoln’s scent changed again; relief laced with growing affection for his new mate.

Scooter couldn’t have known that this had been one of his greatest fears—to find a mate someday who wanted him but not his child.

He lay still, enjoying the man’s gentle strokes, and sent a wave of love toward the innocent pup.

Scooter was quiet for a while, and then started telling him about his early years and the struggles he faced.

It was a sad account, much like his, of someone rejected by those who should have loved him.

It wasn’t until he showed up at Gladstone that Scooter began to blossom and grow into a strong, kind, passionate man. Exactly what Lincoln needed.

The bubble burst when Evan returned home and spotted them on the couch. He broke into a wide smile, pleased to see their progress. They didn’t know that Luna had given him this very image in one of his early dreams.

“Seeing you like that brings it all back. I spent a lot of time on Ben’s lap during my pregnancy and found it very soothing. By the way, it’s supposed to rain this afternoon, so you may want to go for your run before lunch.”

Lincoln yipped, wagging his tail, and Scooter gently set him on his paws.

“Let’s swing by my apartment first, and then we’ll head out. There’s a really cool place by the Eastern border I want to show you.”

Evan helped gather up the flash cards before showing them out, reminding Scooter to contact security before they took off. When they were gone, he opened the mind-link with Ben.

“They’re doing great, love. I wasn’t expecting Lincoln to accept Scooter so quickly.”

“That’s what I want to hear! They seem to be well-matched, and you do good work, mate. I hope all goes well tomorrow at Eagle River and it gives Lincoln some closure.”

“Me too. Melva’s disappointed that she’s not going to be there to see it.”

“Don’t get me started. That woman has a big heart and ice in her veins. I’m not sure if Sheppard’s team could handle her!”

############

Lincoln had a funny feeling about going into Scooter’s apartment, as if he’d been there before.

It smelled like him, of course; neat and clean, with everything in its place.

Based on his mate’s comments, someone had been here to deliver food and throw a sturdy blanket over the bed.

The second bedroom was almost empty, evidently used for storage.

Scooter obviously hadn’t done much decorating, and Lincoln already had some ideas to spruce things up.

Between the heavily scented air and watching Scooter strip, Lincoln’s libido began to stir again.

With Bruce, he’d been taken advantage of by an abuser while overwhelmed with hormones and a driving need he couldn’t control.

Taking a knot from Scooter would not be an act of unbridled lust, but an expression of love and care between mates as Luna intended.

Scooter noticed Lincoln’s scent change and knew what it meant.

He chose to ignore it for the moment and led his mate back to the apartment door.

Still naked, he stepped outside to find two security men waiting.

While Lincoln stood by, he closed the door, shifted, and set off into the nearby woods, heading southeast. Thankfully, their escort had picked up the scent of arousal and split up to flank the couple instead of following behind—out of direct sight, but creating a bubble of protection.

Scooter set a steady, comfortable pace, leaving room for Lincoln to run alongside.

Until reaching Big Bay de Noc, which formed nearly all of the packland’s eastern border, the dense forest provided stunning views of fall color.

Clearly enjoying himself, Lincoln stopped occasionally to look around and howl softly into the cool breeze.

Scooter let him do whatever he wanted, hoping the fresh air and sunshine would facilitate his mate’s healing.

At length, they reached a special place that Scooter had found only last year in his wanderings.

It was a tiny island, formed long ago in the middle of Big River.

The outer edge sported a few small trees, leaving a mostly flat pile of moss-covered rock in the center.

To reach it, they had to get wet, but it was worth the trouble when they arrived at the sunny interior.

They investigated the space together, noting who or what had visited recently, and plopped down together on the soft green moss to rest.

Lincoln rolled over on his back, exposing his plump belly to the sun while inviting his mate to come hither.

Scooter approached gently, lowering his snout to lick and sniff his way over sensitive nipples until reaching the vulva.

Lincoln squirmed and growled as Scooter worked the area with his tongue—lusty pheromones leaving no doubt what they both wanted.

Panting with need, Lincoln got up and presented his rear, tail wrenched to the side for easy access.

Scooter mounted him straight away, pumping with short, jerky thrusts until the knot formed and he filled his mate with seed.

Being his first time, it took a minute to find a more comfortable position, but he finally lay them both down without hurting Lincoln.

Knots could take twenty minutes or more to deflate, and Scooter lovingly groomed his mate while they waited.

Without a voice, Lincoln couldn’t adequately express his feelings, though he tried with happy yips and growls.

This was nothing like the harsh rutting he’d experienced with Bruce, and he was already looking forward to the next time.

Scooter’s gentle, loving care made him feel special, and he wished he could tell him so.

It excited Lincoln to imagine what human sex with his mate would be like.

They’d have many more ways to pleasure one another, and he was determined to ask Evan for detailed advice, even if he had to spell everything out.

Scooter noticed the change in pressure on his cock and carefully withdrew as soon as the knot released them.

His mate had responded beautifully and seemed to enjoy what they’d done as much as he had.

His wolf pressured him to claim Lincoln, but Scooter didn’t want to scare his mate with too much too soon.

They had plenty of time for claiming after the pup was born, and by then, Lincoln should be more than ready to complete their bond.

The clouds had moved in by the time they were ready to head back, bringing a cooler breeze with them.

Scooter took a few moments for full body rubs, marking Lincoln with his scent.

Not that anyone would dare challenge him, but his wolf insisted.

Given their growling bellies and the change in temperature, they made haste to reach the packhouse and whatever the ladies were cooking up for lunch.