It was a hectic day at the Centauri pack.

Vincent wondered when this blazing summer was going to come to an end. On top of the hottest day, the pack decided to hold a carnival. He stood on the porch of their house as massive bouncy-castles were being put up and Hailey was arranging the barbecue for tonight with a bunch of kids. Sabrina was busy guiding Hunter and Lupin on how to arrange the tables so everyone could eat together.

An ache pulsed through Vincent as memories from last night flashed through his mind. Isabel orchestrated another attack by sending mercenaries to kill them and capture Gabriel. Frankly, Vincent remained worried despite Ryder's efforts to comfort him. They had dangerous lives with the business that they ran, but Vincent never expected to feel this fear constantly now. He loved Ryder and he would never regret mating him. However, what was he supposed to do with this prickling fear? This was probably something that he needed to work on himself. He would have to trust Ryder and believe that he'll be safe when protecting Gabriel or the pack.

Vincent's head throbbed from thinking about this damn problem over and over again. How could anyone enjoy this stupid weather? He wanted to find Isabel Morelli and smother her until her soul left her body.

"V!" A massive body slammed into Vincent from the back. Ryder's arm was around his neck and he was glued to his side with a big, goofy grin on his face.

"Get off me, it's hot," Vincent grumbled, but he was still smothered by his extremely muscular six-foot mate.

"Ooh, so scary," Viola remarked as she walked out of the house and joined them. Ryder laughed with her.

Vincent was well aware that he looked rather pissed off and Ryder with everyone tried pretty much anything to cheer him up.

"I'm going to dominate that bouncy-castle," Azura announced as she stepped out in shorts and a tank-top.

"You can't," Viola said. "Klaus banned us from them after what happened last year."

Azura pushed the sunglasses higher up her nose. "I don't give a shit that a few kids got scared because of my skills," she remarked.

"What'd you say?" Klaus said as he appeared.

Azura stiffened. She looked back at Klaus who was standing harmlessly, but the big, strapping beast behind him was the truly scary one. King glared at Azura to test him right now.

"Er- nothing," she said.

"You're still injured," Klaus said. "I don't want you anywhere near that bouncy castle."

Azura rolled her shoulder. "I'm fine," she said brightly. "No bullet can kill me." They all laughed with her except Vincent.

He hated when anything happened to his pack members. No one should take a bullet and expect to go on with their day like it was nothing. Azura held a brave face but Vincent remembered the uncertainty in her eyes when they were at the hotel and cornered. She feared for Gabriel, not herself. She could have died that night. But right now, she stood here like none of that happened. Another one was doing the same thing, he thought as he stared at Ryder.

They headed off down the porch towards the rest of the pack as popsicles arrived.

"Come on, King," Klaus urged.

"I can think of a million things to do in this heat than sit outside with a bunch of snotty kids," King grumbled as he was being pulled out of the house.

Vincent stayed back, under the porch so he wouldn't get the beaming rays of the sun on his body. Besides, he wasn't in the mood to fake a smile when he wasn't feeling like it at all.

"Aren't you going with them?" Zoya appeared behind him.

Vincent didn't turn around. "No," he answered.

"Ryder told me you two are engaged," she said as she joined him.

Vincent smiled then. He was the one that proposed which wasn't a big deal. They already mated and had a bond that was unbreakable. But sealing it with a marriage ceremony made it more special.

"Ryder also told me about your concerns," Zoya said. "Do you want him to stop being a pack enforcer?"

"No," Vincent said right away. "That'll kill him." He knew that nothing mattered more to Ryder than fulfilling his duty and protecting this pack.

"It's going to kill him if you continue to stay upset," Zoya retorted.

"I'm not upset," his tone was rigid.

"Right." She chuckled. "Our mates worry about us," she said as her eyes sought out River who was holding Gideon in his arms. "But we worry more about them." Zoya's eyes held the anguish that mirrored Vincent's worries.

"I'm terrified of this sick feeling every time I think that I can lose him out there," he confessed.

"I know but there are no guarantees, V," Zoya said. "Even in the safest world, death still finds us." He felt as if his heart was held in a tight fist. "Ryder's a fighter. He'll destroy anything that keeps you from him."

Vincent looked back at his mate who was standing with his twin, his arm over River's shoulders. He knew that Ryder would fight until the end of time to ensure that everyone was safe. That's the duty of a pack enforcer.

"Rather than worrying over what hasn't happened," Zoya said, "why don't you just live the life our goddess gave you today."

Vincent chuckled. "Usually, my siblings need the pep-talks," he jested. "Have I hit such a low point that I need them now too?"


"This whole pack is a handful," Zoya said as she climbed down the porch. "I don't know how Gabriel does it."

"What are you going to do when your pup's born?" Vincent yelled back.

Zoya shot him a smirk. "My pup is going to see that all its uncles and aunts are resilient when they fight for their pack," she said and walked off to her mate.

Vincent had to agree to that. There was no one like their pack when it came to protecting each other.

He went back into the house craving the air-conditioned rooms rather than the hot temperature outside. Pouring himself some iced-tea that Hailey made earlier. He was going to his room to get a book and stay away from the chaos outside.

Reaching his bedroom, he placed the cup on the table and looked through the shelves to find something to read when the door opened behind him. The spiced scent and mating bond drifted to Vincent letting him know right away who was at the door. He looked over his shoulder and saw Ryder leaning on the doorframe.

"Do you need a cuddle?" Ryder taunted.

Vincent turned back ignoring him when he heard the snap of the door locking into place and Ryder's footsteps get closer. He stood stiffly in front of the books as his mate's arm wrapped around his waist.

Ryder leaned his chin on Vincent's shoulder. "Are you okay?" he said softly as his lips touched his neck.

Vincent leaned into his touch. "I'm sorry," he said and meant it. He didn't mean to make Ryder worry unnecessarily. His mate suddenly bit him making him jerk in surprise from the pain. Vincent pushed him back and gaped at the man. "What the hell," he astounded.

Ryder grinned. "That's what you get," he said as he stepped forward.

Vincent stepped back as he found himself sinking into those icy-blue eyes that were on fire right now. They were intense and carved into Vincent's body like a mark that could never be erased. Their scents thickened and swarmed around the room.

He stepped back as far as he could before his should hit the bookshelf behind him. Ryder put his hand on the shelf but his eyes were focused on Vincent's lips.

"Ryder," he whispered.

"Mm-hmm," his gaze didn't move and his intentions were clear as day.

Vincent crossed his arms. "Why don't you go blow off some steam outside," he suggested.

Ryder's eyes flashed with a playful charm. "Why would I do that?" his tone quiet. "When I got you-" his hand collared Vincent's throat, tilting his head back voluntarily- "my sweet mate." Vincent felt the heat flash through his body as Ryder's lips hovered over his own.

Ryder brushed his lips softly on his mouth, waiting until Vincent allowed more. He parted his lips and let Ryder deepen the kiss, taking control and pressing closer. Both of them fell under then dark spell of their bodies and let it consume them. Vincent put his hand on Ryder's nape, raking his fingers through his dark and soft hair.

Ryder's anchored his leg between Vincent's and pressed his thigh right against his hard shaft, it was painful but the sensation shot through his body and made his heart skip a beat. He tried hard not to let out a sound not knowing who could walk into the house at any time.

"Ryder-"

"Shhh, baby, the others could hear you," he jested.

Ryder knew exactly what he was doing when he grabbed Vincent's arm and took him to the bed. They both fell over onto the mattress and Vincent grabbed the hem of Ryder's shirt taking it off and tossing it on the floor. The hard contours of his mate's body were under his hands and it was all he could think about as Ryder kissed him deeply. He grabbed Vincent's wrists and pinned them above his head.

Vincent moaned against his mate's mouth that was skilled and soft, it was so fucking hot. "Strip," he growled.

Ryder grinned at Vincent's urgency. He stripped off his jeans and Vincent's slacks, their heavy and hard shafts throbbed against one another. Ryder wrapped his hands around both of their cocks, his hard fist felt divine as he controlled their pleasure simply by how he stroked their shafts together. Vincent held onto Ryder, not letting their lips separate as his body gave in to all the desire he offered. He couldn't hold it in anymore.

"Come inside me," he moaned against Ryder's mouth.

"I should make you concerned about my safety more often if it makes you like this," Ryder said as he pushed his thick shaft into him.

"Fuck you," he moaned dropping his head back on the bed.

Ryder laughed as he kissed down his throat, biting and sucking ruthlessly. "I'm only half-way, baby," he said.

Vincent couldn't breathe and felt like someone punched his stomach. He raked his fingers into Ryder's hair and brought their lips together again. Their hot tongues, intertwined together and he loved the taste of his mate. Ryder thrusted hard and deep, reaching far inside him. They were breathless and crazed. Nothing could beat this sensation that only they could cause each other.

Ryder wasn't lenient. He thrusted into Vincent's body, giving them both release with his ruthless power and unforgiving desire.

Vincent came undone and so did Ryder.

They both collapsed on the bed. For a while, only their breaths could be heard. Vincent didn't even notice when his eyes started to doze off. But, his attention was caught when he felt Ryder's lips on his shoulder then chest. He headed down his body and put his mouth around Vincent's shaft, taking it deep into his throat.

Vincent moaned in response which was probably a bad idea since that just added fuel to the fire inside Ryder. He didn't slow down after that and made sure that Vincent was begging for relief.

All the walls inside Vincent crumbled down and he gave himself to his mate's scalding touch, that imprinted on his body and wolf. The need was overwhelming as he felt their bodies reach the deepest parts of each other. Ryder linked their hands together as he rocked another orgasm out of Vincent and licked him clean.

Vincent's felt as if they were made of jelly, he had zero strength to even lift a finger. Ryder hovered over him, kissing along his stomach and his eyes hazed with lust to keep going. The hunger in the man clearly wasn't sated but Vincent reached his limit. He moved, running his fingers along Ryder's sharp jaw, his thumb swiped his bottom lip. He watched as Ryder opened his mouth and took his thumb into his mouth between his sharp teeth. Vincent could read his mate's desires through his sneaky grin and those wicked eyes.

"Are you going to get off me?" he taunted.

Ryder didn't move and instead came closer, spreading Vincent's legs apart as he crept over him, their faces inches apart now. "When you're spread beneath me, wet and needy," he remarked, "I don't think so." He slowly pushed his shaft into Vincent again, it was sinful and called out the beastly instinct from both of them.

Vincent couldn't breathe and he hated the way Ryder smirked above him like he knew exactly what he was doing. He probably did, that's why this felt so fucking good.

Ryder kissed down Vincent's neck. "Your legs are trembling. Is this too much, baby?" he asked, amusement coated on his words.

Vincent hardened underneath his mate and he felt the surge of desire overpower everything else. The ache in his body disappeared and all he felt was his mate's throbbing shaft drawing in and out of him. He bit his lip trying not to scream out in pleasure, but Ryder soon solved that issue when he sealed his lips over Vincent's mouth. They kissed long and hard, desperately trying to feel each other like they were telling themselves that this would never change. They were mates and they'd be together forever.

"Don't come yet, otherwise I won't let you for the entire hour," Ryder growled as he ran his teeth along Vincent's throat.

It was like swallowing a storm when Vincent had to obey Ryder's command. He tried to breathe through the long and hard thrusts, but it was too much for him. His hands gripped the sheets under him, his knuckles pained from the urgency.

"Ryder," he whimpered breathlessly, "fuck, you're killing me." Vincent heard Ryder's bemused laugh against his ear, it sent a ripple of pleasure down his own body and to his throbbing shaft that was held in Ryder's taut grip.

"You want to come, baby?" he goaded.

Vincent couldn't think straight, it was like the ground beneath him had been pulled away and he was falling in this dark and daring hole. He faced his mate's ravenous eyes and raked his fingers into his hair, gripping it tightly. He brought Ryder's mouth to quench his own hunger. Their tongues interlocked and their bodies moving rhythmically together.

Vincent pulled back Ryder's head with the grip in his hair. "I want to come," he growled, his eyes flashed red with the wolf growling within him.

Ryder grinned with his sharp canine teeth out and his eyes matching the carnal instinct. "Come for me," he said.

Both of them were overcome with pleasure and orgasmed together.

Ryder didn't stop there though, he laid back on the bed and pulled Vincent on top of him. He straddled his waist, his thick shaft still buried deep inside him. Vincent didn't know how he was going to move, but when pleasure struck through him, he didn't care. Ryder thrusted from underneath him, and Vincent took him in. Neither of them willing to give up the lead.

Vincent would love to one day tie this man up and steal all his control. The more he thought about it, the more convinced he was.

Ryder pulled Vincent down, their chests pressed together. "Focus, baby," he said. He pressed his heavy hand on Vincent's lower back, which only caused Ryder's shaft to enter deeper inside pressing that sweet spot in him.

Vincent cried out and Ryder knew exactly why. He took control despite being on the bottom and pounded hard and deep until both of them came again. They made a mess out of each other. Vincent wasn't even sure how all this started. Oh right, his mood was off. He was never going to be upset around this guy again.

He leaned down on his elbows, Ryder's hands caressed up and down Vincent's back.

"You're finally smiling," Ryder said as he gently kissed him.

He stared at him a bit surprised. "You did all this just for that?" he asked.

Ryder raked Vincent's hair away from his eyes. "I'll do anything just to see your pretty smile," he admitted.

Vincent's heart skipped a beat and he bit back from his smile getting wider. "You're crazy," he said as he tried to get off him.

Ryder was quicker. He pinned Vincent to the bed and captured his wrists above his head. "But your crying face is a lot sexier," he said.

Vincent frowned at him. "You have a death wish, don't you?"

Ryder's grip tightened on his wrists. "Especially when you're begging to come," he continued.

"Are you even listening to me?"

Ryder kissed down his neck. "God, you smell like sex and my wolf," he said.

Vincent rolled his eyes. "You're such a canine," he nudged at the restraints but Ryder was brutal with his force.

"Come on, baby," Ryder pressed his hard erection into Vincent, "play with me one more time."

"Do I really have a choice?" Vincent said.

Ryder smirked. "If you play, I'll be nice," he bargained.

"Don't be nice," he answered catching Ryder's attention. "Just fuck me hard."

"When did the sun go down?" Vincent asked as he walked out of the shower in a robe and back into his bedroom.

Ryder who stood behind him, in a towel, peered back over his shoulder. "I didn't know it had," he answered.

He went over to his closet and pulled on a sweater with a pair of slacks. He was sure that Klaus had started the barbecue by now since it was almost eight o'clock. Ryder stepped out of the bathroom and shut the light behind him.

Vincent sat on the bed and watched as Ryder got dressed, he pulled on his rugged blue jeans that were clearly old. The jeans fit to his waist and over his black boxers, the hard abdomen on display and the hard ridges of his muscular back moved effortlessly. He left the zipper and button undone as he got busy drying his wet hair with a towel. He roughly shook the towel over his dark hair and he fussed it around with his fingers and was done with it. Vincent could never do that, which led him to contemplate over how he ended up with such a simple-minded mate.

Ryder turned and opened the cupboard finding a dark hoodie in the space. He ditched the shirt he had on earlier and shrugged on the sweater, it covered his muscular torso and those sinful tattoos. He finished by buttoning his jeans and pulling up the zipper. He took out his phone from the back pocket checking something before he put it back.

"Come on," Ryder said with his hand held out.

Vincent took his hand and they went downstairs with him. He realized that he'd follow Ryder anywhere, and this wasn't a new profound thought that he came up with now. This was from the start. The day they met as kids, Vincent knew that his path had always been connected with Ryder.

A warmth filled Vincent and his wolf emerged, it was like they stood side-by-side right now. He forgot how it felt to sense his own wolf like this. The bond had been resurrected again. How did he do that? he thought to himself. He didn't understand how he was able to feel his wolf like this when nothing worked for such a long time.

They walked out of the house and to the pack that was getting ready for dinner. The weather finally cooled and there was a slight chill to the breeze.

"They're here," Zoya announced to Klaus and Bone who returned with Alister. "We were waiting for you two."

"Tell me food's ready," Ryder said. "I'm starving."

"Bone just arrived, so he's helping Klaus set it all up," River answered who was sitting with his mate.

The entire group was sitting around the wooden benches. Vincent spotted Alister sitting with King and they were busy talking about something. Ender was with Gideon and the pup River sitting with them and his friend Jaxx as well. Gabriel, Sabrina were with Hunter and Hailey. Vincent didn't see his sister and Azura or Lupin.

"They're at the bouncy castle," Gabriel told him when he asked them.

Vincent took a seat with his family. "Those kids have too much energy," he groaned as his own body hurt because of a certain someone.

The ruckus grew around the benches as grilled meats and burgers and hot dogs were being passed around the crowd. Everyone eventually got their fill and sat around the bonfire after dinner. Vincent craved ice-cream by the end of the night and went inside the house to get some.

He entered the front door when Hailey and Zoya both rushed down the stairs into the kitchen, the phone against Hailey's ear. "Thank you so much, Dr. Stone," she said.

"What's going on?" Vincent asked them.

"We know what gender Sabrina's baby is," she squealed.

"Why do you two know?" he asked.

"We're arranging her baby shower," Zoya answered. "We need to know before them so we can surprise them."

"I want some ice-cream too," Viola entered the kitchen.

Hailey ran up to her and pulled her down so she could whisper something into her ear. Viola's eyes widened and she beamed with excitement.

"I can't believe Sabrina's going to have a baby girl!" She screamed loudly.

Girl, Vincent thought with a smile on his face.

"What'd you say?" Ryder gaped behind them.

"Viola!" Hailey and Zoya yelled together.

Viola didn't look like she was regretful. She was jumping up and down.

"What's going on?" River entered the house seeing the excitement in the kitchen.

"Gabriel and Sabrina are having a girl," Ryder told him.

"Oh my god!" Zoya astonished.

"We can't hide anything in this family," Hailey held her head with both hands.

Hunter walked into the kitchen then. "How long does it take to get ice-cream?"

"Hunter! Gabriel and Sabrina are having a baby girl," Viola said to her brother.

Hunter's eyes widened. "How'd you find out?" he asked.

"Hailey told me," Viola answered.

"I should've kept my mouth shut," Hailey regretted.

"What's going on?" King asked as he entered with Bone, Klaus, Azura and Lupin who were looking for ice-cream as well, which was melting in front of Vincent who was still in awe.

"Everyone shut up!" Zoya said. "Don't say it anymore."

They all did go quiet.

"We have to tell them," Viola said. "Everyone already knows."

"Knows what?" Azura said.

"Nothing!" Hailey shouted.

"No, something's definitely going on," Lupin said.

"Tell us!" Azura demanded.

"We can't," Zoya said.

"Just tell them!" Ryder added to the fire.

"Don't make me kill you!" Zoya shouted back at him.

"Gabriel and Sabrina are having a girl," River told the others.

"What?" Everyone froze when they heard Gabriel and Sabrina's voices at the door.

They all turned back and saw their alpha and alpha-female standing behind them with astonishment written over their faces.

"We're having a girl," Sabrina said with tears in her eyes. "Oh god, we're having a girl."

"Why, why does this only happen in this house?" Zoya looked ready to rip hair out of her head. "River, you are so dead!"

"What did I do?" River asked blankly.

"A girl," Gabriel smiled and started to laugh. He hugged Sabrina and they both thanked the goddess for the gift that was their child.

Congratulations went around and the ice-cream was very quickly forgotten. By then, Hailey just announced to the whole pack and they'd hold a ceremony. Vincent watched as Gabriel and Sabrina were congratulated. He knew that Gabriel would make a great father, he already had taken care of so many people in his life. He saved this pack and their family. The baby girl that was blessed to him was getting a man with honour and a mother that was not only kind but strong too. Vincent went and hugged his brother and Sabrina too.

"Congrats," he told Gabriel.

"Thanks," Gabriel said.

"Oh, he's going to spoil that little girl," Azura mocked.

"You know I am," Gabriel said with a wide smile.

"It's going to be scary to witness," King added.

"Shut up," Gabriel nudged King playfully.

"To Gabriel and Sabrina-" Hunter held his beer high for a toast- "we can't wait for the new edition to this crazy-ass pack." Everyone clinked their beers together and toasted to that statement.

Vincent looked at his mate and smiled. "I love you," he whispered.

Ryder put his arm over Vincent's shoulders. "I love you too," he said. "Should we make a baby also?"

Vincent choked on the beer. "That's impossible, you idiot," he coughed out.

Ryder laughed at him. "I'll do my best," he jested.

Vincent pushed him away and started walking away. "You're insane," he accused.

"Come on, honey," Ryder urged as he followed. "We should make everyone proud."

Vincent blocked his ears. "Oh my god, I can't hear you!"

Ryder grabbed him and kissed his cheek. "Okay, okay, sorry," he gave in. "Let's just take a walk."

They left the group and went off into the woods. Vincent and Ryder strolled for a bit just hearing the rustling of leaves in the breeze and the hooting owls in the trees. The full moon shined above them in this cloudless night. The silver light played on the tall trees and rough terrain. Vincent walked ahead seeing the lake in front of him. He turned back to call Ryder to see the lake with him, but the man had vanished and shifted into a wolf.

Vincent stood alone with the massive, black wolf prowling towards him. "Ryder," he said.

The wolf's blue eyes flashed like wicked jewels. The surge of pheromones swallowed him like a raging storm. He faced this wolf knowing how dangerous he could prove to be. But he wasn't afraid, he knew that this monster was only his mate. He only wished he could shift into his own wolf to be with him.

Free me, his own wolf spoke within him.

What? he asked him.

Let me run with my mate, his wolf spoke.

Vincent's body shifted with complete ease. His own wolf emerged after a long time, it was like they touched the ground of this forest for the first time. The black wolf in front of him flashed with a feral desire that Vincent and his wolf could clearly sense. Both of them craved to be together and they finally could be.

Ryder's wolf approached and rubbed his big, black body against the golden wolf. They took a silent but mesmerizing moment to let their bond sanctify beneath the radiant moon. This animal form that was gifted to them by their goddess had sought for her blessing again tonight to let them be together forever. They thanked Maya that they found each other and now they could be together.

The golden wolf and the black wolf ran under the moon, in this forest, freely to be with only each other.