Page 48 of Labor of Love

“Deal.” Shiloh’s smile widened. He still looked exhausted, and it was going to take time, but as Corbyn went to get the stew and a bottle for Nora, he was confident he and his mate were on the same page.

EPILOGUE

Six months later…

“Oh, no, no. Not now. Not tonight.” Shiloh ran into the bathroom, slamming the door and locking it before sniffing again. Nope. He could still smell Corbyn. Running over to the window, he opened it, pushing it as wide as it would go, inhaling deeply, trying to clear the scent of his mate from his nose.

It wasn’t working. Shiloh’s body was heating up, his clothes that he’d just put on, suddenly feeling incredibly uncomfortable. He tugged at the collar of his new button down shirt, trying to get some relief.

“Shi?” Shiloh winced as he heard Corbyn in the bedroom. “Shiloh, are you in the bathroom? The babysitter is here.” There was a tap on the bathroom door, and then Corbyn tried the handle. “Are you ready to go?”

Yes. But not in the way you’re thinking.“Don’t come in,” he yelled. “You can’t come in. You smell too good. I’m heating up.”

“Oh, shit.” Shiloh was sure he heard Corbyn sniff hard, and then there was a thud on the door as Corbyn groaned. “We knew this was going to happen, babe. What did you need me to do?”

That was the million dollar question. Shiloh had come a long way from the frightened omega Corbyn had rescued six months before. He shared his alpha’s bed every night, sat by his side during meetings, confident Corbyn would protect his right to be heard as they reshaped the birthing facility into a place welcoming to all. Shiloh had received his first romantic kiss four months before and his mouth and hands were as familiar with Corbyn’s cock as he was with his own.

But they hadn’t donethat. Even after he healed, Shiloh hadn’t been mentally ready. Corbyn was a saint in reminding Shiloh every time he felt bad about not rolling over and showing his ass, that their mating was more than penetrative sex. But now his heat had started, and that changed things.

Shiloh opened the drawer in the bathroom cabinet, pulling out the small box Mama had given him two months ago.

“What’s this for?”

“I still have my heat every six months, and Corbyn’s father is still a beast in bed when he goes into his rut.” She sighed happily. “I love every minute of it. But you notice I only have two kids. This is my secret weapon, and there’s no reason you can’t use one, too.”

“Shi.” More knocking on the door. “Did you want me to get Mom? I can stay over at the main house if you’re not ready for this. You know I will.”

Shiloh did know that. In six months, Corbyn hadn’t faulted in his care and attention to both Shiloh and Nora, who was growing fast. It wasn’t the material things – although Shiloh had never received so many gifts in his life. Corbyn seemed to find endless excuses to celebrate something with him.

But there were so many little things Corbyn did as well - brushing Shiloh’s now long hair in the evening, putting in a weekly order for the stew Shiloh loved, getting up to do his share when Nora was teething… the list was endless.

Shiloh flicked open the box. Inside was a simple sea sponge. It didn’t have any scent, but Mama had assured him that if he inserted that and kept it in while Corbyn was in his rut, no pregnancy could occur. It had been magically infused with something – she didn’t say what, but Shiloh trusted her as much as his mate.

“Shi. It’s getting harder for me to stay outside this door. I need some sign from you over what I should do.”

Shiloh could hear the strain in Corbyn’s voice. His scent must be seeping under the door. Even with the window open, Shiloh could still smell his mate, and the scent was getting stronger.

“Call your mom and tell her we won’t be at the Omega Hearts event tonight,” he yelled back. “Then text the babysitter and ask her to take Nora over to the main house. She can look after Nora there while your parents are out.”

“Babe. Are you sure?” There was a loud thump as if Corbyn had slumped against the bathroom door. “Really sure?”

“Yes. Yes, I am,” Shiloh said, taking the sponge out of the box and reaching for his pants zipper. “Just give me a minute and I’ll be right out.”

Was he worried he might have flashbacks? Yes.

Was he worried he might tense up at a crucial moment? No.

Shiloh hadn’t had a natural heat in years, but he was well aware of the lore. He also knew that Corbyn would look after him, in rut or not, and always would.

Shoving the sponge into his butt as far as he could get it to go, Shiloh zipped his pants back up and washed his hands. Then, he very deliberately went to the door and unlocked it. He didn’t need to open it because Corbyn was already there, pushingagainst the wood, a look of hunger over his handsome face… and, yes, those pants didn’t stay on for very long.

Hours later, when both men were covered in sweat and taking a break, Shiloh had a moment of clarity. He knew he’d done the right thing, and that Corbyn wasn’t like anyone else that had come before. Corbyn loved him, and Shiloh knew as he was rolled over, and his hair brushed off his face, that he loved his mate, too. So, when he murmured, “my first time,” Shiloh knew Corbyn would understand what he meant.

“Mine, too.”

If you're fond of reading Happy Ever After mpreg stories then you might like to check out my Arrowtown series. Cute shifters, fated mates, and babies that will make your heart melt.

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