Page 3 of Whole in His Arms

His cheeks heated, but he said, “I knew one day I would find my mate. And I knew you would come, and I wanted it to be just you.”

Phoenix didn’t know what to say, so he simply kissed his mate, pouring emotions it was too soon to put into words into that kiss. How did he deserve this man?

He really didn’t. But he knew he would do everything to hold on to River.

They would be together forever, their destiny already accounted for, but he swore never to take River for granted. They were going to spend the weekend riding out River’s heat which he could already scent wasn’t far away; being close to Phoenix must have triggered it. They would be sharing each other’s bodies with love and desire but also making a commitment in the most ancient way.

Nix felt like he was finally truly living, and River was the one that had brought him to life.

Chapter One

River

Phoenix stretched out in the bed beside him, and River couldn’t help smiling as memories of the previous night came flooding back into his mind. He’d never been happier than he was at that moment. From the second he’d laid eyes on his mate, River had felt their connection. River had walked into his brother’s house that day, and his wolf had sat up and taken notice immediately, then he’d laid eyes on Phoenix, and he couldn’t look away. His mate’s scent had hit, and it’d been like being hit by a car in a good way—okay, he knew there was no such thing, but it fit. Then their eyes had met, and he’d known that Phoenix was his, and better yet, his mate had felt the connection too.

River had been trying to figure out the best way to approach his mate when Nix had come up to him and asked if he believed in fated mates.

He’d been thinking yes, butduhhad come out of his mouth instead.

His mate had laughed, and River had been a total goner.

He was destined to be Nix’s omega, and River was so glad that he’d waited for him, and he meant that in every way. Even though he’d left home for college, he’d always had this idea of having his first time with his mate—it was super throwback of him, and he knew it, but he also didn’t care. And now, having found Nix, he was glad he’d waited.

As he lay beside Nix in bed, enjoying the feel of his mate’s strong arms holding him, River could undoubtedly affirm he believed in fated mates. All he’d ever wanted was to find his person. Someone to be there for him, to protect him, to simply hold him while he slept … He’d hoped one day he would find that special someone, and now he had Phoenix, who was more than River could have ever dreamed of.

River sighed and turned in his alpha’s arms so he could stare at him. He pulled himself up but leaned down so he could plant a sweet kiss on the corner of Nix’s lips. Nix smiled, his eyes blinking open slowly. When their eyes met, he could feel his mate thinking the same thing he was. This was real.

Even after a few weeks of them together, River still woke up wondering how this was his life. He couldn’t have hoped for much more.

“Good morning,” River said, and he couldn’t stop smiling.

Nix had a twinkle in his eyes, one that he got lost in every single time.

“Good morning,” his mate said. He shot a killer smile in River’s direction that had the butterflies which had taken up residence in his belly going crazy.

Nix sat up and River followed suit but shimmied over on the bed so he was against him, his back against Nix’s chest.

“What do you have on your agenda today?” Nix asked while nuzzling his neck, his arms loosely going around River’s waist.

“Well, I think I’m going to pay Ryder a visit,” River said, snuggling into Nix’s broad chest.

“Personal or professional?” Nix asked.

“A little bit of both.” River sighed. “I’ve not been feeling great, and I thought maybe he could check me out.”

Nix leaned to the side, and River did the same, only in the opposite direction, and looked up so their eyes met. “Maybe I should go with you.” His mate’s brow was creased, the worry on his face clear as day. River was about to argue that it wasn’t necessary when Nix held up his hand. “Besides, I’m pretty confident I know what Ryder is going to say.”

River had a feeling he knew, too, but there was a part of him that didn’t want to say it out loud so he didn’t jinx it. There was this voice in his head telling him he was too happy and that something bad would come next, but he shoved it aside.

River chuckled. “You’re that confident, huh?”

Nix shrugged. “Iamyour mate, after all. I can tell what’s happening to your body, and there’s a whole lot of changing going on.” His tone was teasing even as his eyes were hopeful.

“Are you saying I’m moody or fat?” River asked with mock anger.

“I’m saying you’re sexy,” Nix said, a teasing smile on his face.

He brushed a kiss along River’s lips, and all he could do was sigh and lean in closer to his mate. When they parted, Phoenix was grinning widely.