Page 24 of Unbar the Barred
Cassidy’s breath shuddered out of him at having things he’d never thought possible. Secret wishes he tucked in his heart unfurled in front of him like the gift the wolf on his knee was to him.
“I bought land and a home today, cause I want a life with you. One where we go to bed together and wake every mornin’ wrapped in each other’s arms.”
“More like star fishin’ me,” Cassidy choked out past the ball of emotions attempting to steal his ability to breathe.
“That too,” Trey chuckled. He plucked the ring out of his palm, holding Cassidy’s stare. “This is a wolf totem. It’s made of several crystals, carved and melded together for a mate's protection. When you wear this, you’ll truly be mine in every way.”
Cassidy’s sniff was undignified, because he had no control over it or the next one as Trey took hold of his hand. The warmth of the skin touching his made it real even before the words.
“Be mine.”
There were words inside Cassidy, he knew there were, but he had no clue where and he couldn’t get his lips to cooperate. In the end, he gave up and nodded.
“I need words, my little chick.”
Cassidy swallowed to wet his mouth, tears streamed down his cheeks. “Yes,” he croaked in a hoarse whisper. Then louder, “Yes.”
Trey slipped the ring on and it fit perfectly. The weight and feel of it pressing against his skin left Cassidy unable to stop the sob as he heard cabin doors open and the sounds of voices.
Trey rose and scooped him off the seat, seemingly uncaring of the audience they now had. He didn’t take his gaze off Cassidy as he called out, “Someone take care of Cass’s family for him, we’re gonna be busy for a while.”
Cassidy buried his face in Trey’s neck, overwhelmed, and not from just the proposal, but that Trey would understand that the chicks and Bubba were his family. And that he would make sure someone looked after them.
As Trey carried him into the cabin, Cassidy heard Sunny say, “Don’t worry, Cass, I got you covered.”
Then, as Trey booted the door shut, he heard Zippy call out, “Where do I find a mate like that?”
“Darling Ranch,” someone else replied, laughing, “if you look hard enough.”
“No,” Cassidy murmured as they stopped in his bedroom, “Ranch-Down is where I found mine.”
“Darn straight.” Trey’s nose rubbed against the side of his neck, down to the claiming bite. “Best thing that bar ever gave me.”
Cassidy couldn’t argue with that.
Epilogue
Trey
Trey woke with a sharp jab to his ribs. “What,” he mumbled, working on figuring what the jab was about.
“The pups,” Cassidy gasped in pain. “They’re comin’.”
Jumping out of bed, Trey kicked the night stand then hopped around in the dark, cursing.
“What you doin’?” Cassidy whined from somewhere on the bed. For the last few weeks of pregnancy, Trey had movedinto Cassidy’s cabin while they had renovations made to their new home. The bar was too noisy for Cassidy, who had grown sensitive to many things as his pregnancy progressed.
Also, Trey hadn’t wanted Cassidy to have to put up with the mess at the new cabin. There was too much dirt and dust created by the carpenter while he added a nursery to the back of the cabin, next to the master bedroom. Cassidy had definite ideas about such things. He wanted their babies close so they would know they were wanted. Trey had no issue with that after Cassidy had opened up about his family, about how they neglected him because he was divergent. Made him share with the chicks in the barn rather than in the house.
Trey did his best not to think about Cassidy’s past when his wolf wanted to hunt his family down and tear their heads off. Cassidy being the way he was, he didn’t want Trey to do anything. Cassidy just wanted to move forward and create a happy space for their pups. So Trey focused his anger on making that happen.
Toe throbbing, he found the lamp and flicked it on, then wished he hadn’t with what he could see happening between Cassidy’s legs.
“Oh gods,” he exclaimed and, in panic, stepped back, this time hitting his heel on the edge of the door. “Fuckkkk,” he ground out, hopping forward. Was this the revenge of the universe for impregnating his mate?
“When you’ve quite finished,” Cassidy said around a low moan, “go call the doc.”
Trey swung around and ran out of the room, not noticing he was naked, his feet bare. Down the steps of the porch, he could see the sky was tinging with dawn as he ran towards his truck. He patted his legs, only to groan and curse once more. He ran back into the cabin only to hear mewling coming from the other room, sending him right back into the bedroom.
