Chapter 3 - Carl

“What?”

Whereas my shock had come out as a high-pitched squeal and manic movement, Richard goes completely still. His voice is low and breathy. I almost don’t hear him above the rush of the river over the waterfall into the pond below—he’s so quiet.

But I do hear him.

I’ve always been incredibly attuned to him. Our parents constantly joke that we’re two halves of the same person, just in two different bodies. I’m always the serious one, following the rules, while Richard is the wild one, pushing boundaries just to see how far he can go before he gets into deep shit.

You wouldn’t think that we’d be best friends, but we always have been. Even as kids, it was always Richard and me. Jared and Alistar were always there, always part of our little world, but Richard and I? We were never apart.

We had trundle beds in each other’s rooms because we couldn’t sleep alone. We did everything together—learned how to shave, joined Cub Scouts and Little League, even discovered our first chest hairs on the same day.

We went on double dates, talked about almost everything.

There were very few secrets between us.

Except for two.

That I’ve been saving myself for my mate.

And that I am deeply in love with Richard.

Well… those were secrets. Until now.

I stop pacing and look at him.

I’ve always wondered what it feels like when you’re about to faint. Wolves don’t just faint. Not unless something is seriously wrong—extreme exhaustion, dehydration, a critical wound.

But right now? I feel like I’m going to hit the fucking ground.

I stumble back and sit down hard on the blanket chest when my knees buckle.

Oh, shit.

Oh, FUCK.

What the hell did I just do?

I don’t even realize I’m muttering to myself until Richard suddenly moves.

He’s in front of me in an instant, kneeling between my legs, his hands on either side of my face. His touch anchors me, his fingers warm and strong. Electric.

His scent—citrus and cinnamon, sharp and intoxicating—wraps around me.

“Did you just say that you love me?”

I almost deny it. The words are right there, ready to shove him away, ready to take it back—to run.

Then I see his face.

Hope.

So much hope.

His expression is open, vulnerable—so full of adoration that it steals the breath from my lungs.

Could he…?

Could he feel the same way?

I can’t speak.

I can’t say it again.

I just nod.

A quick up-and-down movement, barely there.

Richard’s face breaks into the most beautiful fucking smile I’ve ever seen.

And then he’s pulling me into him, kissing me like he’s starving.

I freeze for a second.

Complete, utter shock.

Then it’s gone.

I snap back into myself and crush him against me, kneeling down so I can push every inch of my body against his. I need more.

Against my lips, he breathes, “I love you, too. I love you so much, Carl.”

I should pull back.

We should talk. Figure out what this means.

When did he fall in love with me?

Why?

What happens now?

But I can’t.

Because this—this is what I’ve wanted for so fucking long.

I bury my fingers in his hair and dominate his mouth with a kiss that I never want to end.

His touch is like air. His kiss is like food.

I can’t live without either.

I need him.

I slide my tongue into his mouth, drinking him in, my free hand roaming his chest, feeling the firm muscle beneath his shirt. Richard is built like a fucking tank. As Gamma, he’s our enforcer.

A tank that I’m about to take on a joy ride.

Richard groans when I tweak his nipple through his shirt, and I feel his fingers kneading my ass. The sensation sends sparks racing across my skin, every touch igniting something deeper, hotter, more desperate.

And then I feel it.

Something shifts between us, an invisible pull growing stronger, an undeniable recognition in my soul. His scent thickens, spicier, richer.

I know what this means.

It must be midnight.

Our birthday.

I pull back, gasping for air, and stare into his deep green eyes—like twin emeralds glowing in the firelight.

“Mate,” I whisper.

Richard’s face is a mix of awe and pure hunger. His lips part slightly.

He nods.

“Mate.”

My fingers trace his jaw, the curve of his lips, the faint stubble on his chin. This realization stops the frantic movement. Just for a moment.

He does the same, his fingers light, reverent, exploring my face like he’s memorizing me all over again.

One of us moans—I don’t even know who.

But it breaks something.

Because suddenly, we’re lost again.

Grabbing, kissing, needing.

I break the kiss just long enough to pull his shirt off.

Richard, impatient as always, rips my shirt clean off my back.

I laugh against his lips. “Impatient, baby?”

“You have no idea.” His voice is low, wrecked. “I’ve wanted to be with you for years. To tell you how I feel. To have it be okay.”

I groan, not wanting to think about anything other than the monster in his pants.

I’ve seen it plenty of times.

He’s massive.

And I can’t wait to have it inside me.

“In that case…” I grab his gym shorts and rip them clean off his body.

I arch an eyebrow, smirking.

“Freeballing, Rich?”

“They’re gym shorts. They have netting inside. You don’t need underwear!”

His indignant tone makes me laugh so hard I have to pull back.

This.

This is why I love Richard so much.

He knows exactly how to make me feel at ease.

When I finally catch my breath, I look at him, my smirk fading into something more dangerous.

I lower myself down.

Richard’s breathing stutters.

“Oh, fuck, Carl,” he hisses as my face comes level with his fully erect, truly spectacular cock.

I take him in my hand, squeezing slightly, teasing.

“Shit,” he breathes, his eyes locked on mine.

“I should warn you,” I murmur, stroking him slowly. “I’ve obviously never done this before, though I’ve studied quite a bit.”

Richard swallows hard. “Studied?”

I grin.

“What? I’m thorough.”

And then, I take him into my mouth.

Richard’s shout of pleasure echoes into the night.

And I don’t care who hears.

He can be as loud as he wants—

Because he’s mine.