Page 147 of Blood Fist

Ridan and Brune were not the only ones who found their relationship deepening. Many of the Stone Blade found companionship with members of the other clans. Where old feuds had once taken root, romance and friendship blossomed.

The Chiefs collectively agreed that the distance between the clans was a detriment. They were borne of the same blood, and much like they were in the time of Artrax, they should find unity. It wouldn’t be easy, and it certainly would take longer than a few sessions sitting around a hearth, but it was a start.

Areine was the last of the chiefs to leave. She would never admit it, but her wounds were grievous. Ridan made a public show of asking her and her people to stay, humbling himself to save her pride. Something that did not go unnoticed by the imperious omega. Ostensibly, the length of her stay was dictated by her generosity and not the time needed to heal.

On the day of her departure, she looked at Ridan, not with her impish grin or with mischief sparkling in her eyes, but with a sincerity that he didn’t think she was capable of.

“Ridan Oldsun.” She bowed her head to him, longhair braided so that it accentuated her mangled ear. “You surprised me.” She smiled softly, gathering her reins as she mounted. From astride her horse, she looked down at him. “It won’t happen again.”

She whistled to her cohort, gathering them around her. Before she turned to ride off, she gave Ridan one last look.

“If you ever lose interest in that alpha of yours, I’d be glad to have you screaming my name.” Without waiting for a response, she dug her heels in and finally headed home.

Ridan rolled his eyes but found he had genuine affection for his fellow omega. She was a nuisance, and he didn’t trust her, but they had each other’s respect. And that went a long way.

The reminder of his alpha had him seeking him out. Dealing with rebuilding the clan had him busier than ever. Rising with the sun and coming to bed long after it had fallen, he rarely had any time to exchange more than a few kisses with Brune. Any free moments he had were spent building a new nest. It wasn’t easy. His heart still ached whenever he thought of the one he lost.

While this new one didn’t have any of his parent’s scents, or the sentimentality attached to it, there were new things to love about it. The furs were gathered by him and his alpha. Scented by his pack, the ones who stood by him even in death.

It was an opportunity. A chance to build a future that was never certain.

He found Brune in the training ring. Fighting with Jonen, Brune was trying to get better with rushed attacks. To the casual observer, it might seem as if the alphas truly hated each other. Neither pulled punches, and their hits rang out across the grounds. Jonen slammed into Brune’s shield, using it forleverage to get high enough to flip over the taller alpha’s head.

Ridan climbed the fence, settling on the top rail to watch them. They continued for a few moments, ending up with their heads pressed together as they discussed what they could do better. Jonen’s fresh mating bite was clear on his neck, deep and bruised where Corric had bitten deep.Possessive bastard,Ridan thought with a huff.

Brune caught sight of Ridan and grinned so broadly, his eyes disappeared. He said goodbye to Jonen, making his way towards Ridan. He took the opportunity to watch his mate, letting his eyes linger unashamedly. These last weeks had been good to Brune. After his rut, he and Sevrin had taken to sparring together. The two were evenly matched in size and style, and they’d both improved tremendously. Brune found it helpful to be around the other alpha, one who embraced his sub-gender. He helped him reconcile a lot of the instincts Brune didn’t understand.

Which was a good thing. Brune would need them going forward.

Tossing the hair from his sweaty forehead, Brune slung his shield off his back as he approached Ridan. It landed with a dull thud in the sand. Even after all this time, the scales on the surface were flawless.

Brune grabbed Ridan’s ankles, pulling them apart so he could settle between his legs. Sitting on the fence as he was, Ridan was taller than his mate. He leaned forward, his arms wrapping around Brune’s sweaty neck. They breathed each other in, letting the scent of sun warmed skin and the tang of salty sweat fill their noses. Ridan had to fight back a purr.

“Thought you were helping with the barn?” Ridan asked idly, leaning back so he could twine a fingeraround a loose strand of hair. He glanced up at the barn in mid-build. The new wood looked fresh under the sun, and even from here, he could smell the wood shavings where they were swept into a pile.

“Derry needed to make more nails,” Brune said, his voice syrupy with sleep as he rested his head against Ridan’s thighs. “Jonen and I decided to get in a last spar before Corric’s heat.”

It was strange to think of Corric spending his heat away from Ridan. They’d spent so many together, that it was almost unsettling. Heats were such vulnerable times, nothing at all like an alphas rut. During rut, alphas became more aggressive, while omegas tended to shrink into themselves. They needed a safe space. Ridan had always been that for Corric, as Corric was for him.

But they had mates now. Corric might have chosenJonenof all people to be his, but he was still an alpha. He would do right by him. Or Sehleh would tan his hide.

Brune rumbled under Ridan’s ministrations, cocking his head so he could scratch behind his ear. He laughed as he was reminded of Areine calling him a puppy. She wasn’t too far off.

Ridan took a moment to examine his alpha. He was strong, broad shouldered with arms to match. His legs were so strong that when he planted them, not even Henroen could move him. A far cry from the scrawny alpha that had burst into his life, Brune had bloomed under Stone Blade skies. Fed and strong, there wasn’t an inch of him reminiscent of the alpha he used to be.

More than the strength in his body was the strength in his heart. Brune walked with ease and confidence. He was settled in his skin, happy to help but equally happy to ask for it when he needed it.

Ridan’s fingers trailed down his jaw, tickling over his matingmark just to feel his big alpha shiver. Brune’s head lolled so he could look up at Ridan, squinting against the sun. His big palm was limp in Ridan’s hands, and he took the time to trace the lines creased against calloused skin.

“Your hands are so rough,” he commented with a wry smile. “Think they can be gentle enough to hold our pup?”

Brune hummed, watching Ridan play with his fingers through half-lidded eyes. “Like with Tia? I suppose although she’s getting callouses of her own. She’s nearly as good…” he trailed off, body stiffening. His breath hitched as he slowly lifted his head to look at Ridan.

“Did you say ‘our’?”

“I did.”

Lips parted, Brune searched Ridan’s face for any trace of humor. When he found none, his eyes glazed over as he glanced down at his stomach. “Seriously?” he squeaked.