It was blazing hot today even though every window in the gym was left open. Ryder was dripping in sweat as he trained, his shirt was practically soaked all the way through and the band of his shorts was as well. He laboured on the power-tower trying to accomplish as many pull-ups as he could without breaking focus. Hunter was working on weights and Azura was sparring with Lupin.

The door suddenly opened and it was Viola. "We're all going to the lake for picnic," she announced. "Klaus told me to tell you to come when you're done."

"Is there food?" Ryder asked as he hopped down.

"Of course," Viola said and then walked off.

Ryder didn't waste a second to get some fresh air and food. As he got out of the gym, the breeze from the forest rolled through the fields and cooled him immediately. From the distance, he saw everyone at the edge of the forest near the lake, which was right outside his cabin. Walking towards them, the chatter grew louder as he approached.

Viola, Hailey, Sabrina and Zoya were setting up the sheet on the ground, Ender helped them as a camera hung around his neck. Hunter, Azura and Lupin also followed out of the gym and joined them. Klaus was pouring lemonade and Vincent was sitting against a tree reading a book. The only ones not here were Gabriel and River who were still at work and King went somewhere with Bone.

Ryder went to the table full of treats and grabbed the puff pastry with jam on top.

"Wash your hands," chided Klaus.

"I'm clean," Ryder rebuked as he took another bite.

"And yet you stink more than a pig," Vincent remarked with a chuckle.

Ryder looked down at the man who was impeccably dressed in a soft linen shirt and trousers. "You're right V, I should take a bath," he agreed.

"Yeah, don't be nasty," Vincent added.

Ryder smirked, putting the pastry down, he went straight for his target. Grabbing Vincent by his arm, he threw him over his shoulder dropping the book from his hands, it wasn't easy with his size but not impossible. Plus, Ryder just worked-out, he was pumping with adrenaline.

"Ryder!" he shouted as he smacked his back and kicked him too, it hurt a lot but he didn't let go. "Don't you dare! I swear to god I will kill you!"

"You said we smelt like pigs," he taunted as he treaded across the dock taking his shoes off along the way.

"I said you did!" Vincent yelled back.

Ryder laughed before he ran the last few steps and jumped into the lake with Vincent in his arms. The lake was cooler than ice and felt incredible as they emerged together to the top. Ryder raked his wet hair back and laughed at Vincent's furious expression.

"I'm going to kill you," Vincent gritted out.

Ryder flicked water in the man's face and he yelled furiously making everyone laugh.

"Cannon ball!" another voice yelled. Azura jumped off the dock and splashed into the water.

"Watch out for me!" Lupin yelled as he jumped in as well.

Vincent was getting splashed left and right as more joined them in the water, even Zoya's pup happily jumped into the lake. Ryder was sure that he would explode from rage any second. Vincent pushed his wet hair back and swam his way back to the dock. He hauled himself out and sat on the ledge with his legs still in the water.

"You're going to pay for that," Vincent said as he glared at him.

Ryder bit back his laugh. "Loosen up, besides you shouldn't have called me a pig," he said as he swam to the dock and got out next to him. He tore off his soaking wet shirt and dropped it on the ground. Well, at least he wasn't sweaty anymore.

Vincent got to his feet in front of him, he smiled sweetly enough to make Ryder's heart stumble and fall. "You're right," he admitted. "You don't smell like pig. I think a toad is more appropriate-" he didn't see it coming when Vincent shoved Ryder back into the water, falling backwards, the water engulfed him again.

Ryder emerged to the top and gasped for air. "Asshole!"

Vincent stuck up his middle finger while walking off the dock. "I'm using your shower," he announced.

"You're going to soak the floor!" Ryder advised as he got out of the water.

Vincent saw him coming and ran for it inside the cabin.

"Guys, don't fight!" Sabrina said from the picnic table.

He was too slow. Vincent had already gotten into the cabin and was up the stairs by the time Ryder reached the door. Thankfully, it was just water and not mud. He went up the stairs following the man when he heard the shower go off in his room. The door was left open so he didn't make a sound before he walked into his own space but it felt foreign for some reason.

Suddenly, Vincent walked out of the bathroom shirtless. "I need clothes," he said as he held his hand out.

Ryder stiffened in his spot, his breath stopped dead in his lungs and all he could see was Vincent who stood covered in a sheen of water, that dripped down his perfectly chiselled torso. This wasn't the first time he'd seen Vincent like this, they've been shirtless in front of each other multiple times. But damn, why was Ryder losing the grip on his control? Each and every day, it was like something chipped away at his focus. The sultry, spiced vanilla masked the scent of the water from the lake, it bewitched Ryder to the point that he only found himself breathing for that scent.

Taking a step towards him, he closed the bit of space. Vincent leaned back, his shoulder hit the cabinet behind him. Right here, if Ryder gave in to his primal hunger and claimed those lips for himself, everything would change. Inching closer, he stared into his friend's hazel eyes.

"Ryder," Vincent's voice was low.

"All I want to do is kiss you," he whispered as if he was a sinner, "and occasionally fuck you so hard that you won't be able to walk the next day."

Vincent's eyes widened; the green flashed a brilliant gold. "Wh-what?" his voice faltered.

Swallowing his pain, Ryder laughed and pulled away. "You should've seen your face, V," he said, as he reached behind in the cabinet and took out a pair of pants and a t-shirt giving it to Vincent. "Take a shower. I'm outside." And he left.

He cursed at himself and his wolf for wanting more. Hiding his disdain, he went and sat with the girls near the bench. He picked up a beer and chugged all of it. Finally, the heat eased inside him and he was calm-ish.

"Move over," Zoya said as she sat next to him.

Ryder shuffled down the bench and made room for her as she sat down.

"Are you okay?" she asked him.

"Mm-hmm," he clenched his teeth together.

"You want to talk about it," she told him.

"This is not something I can talk about," he said.

"Why not?"

"Because then it becomes real," he said.

"Stop hiding and tell me what's going on, Ryder Drakov," she demanded sternly.

Ryder looked around making sure he knew where everyone was located. Everyone sat on the chairs near the lake as most of them were enjoying the water. He found himself alone with Zoya as she snacked away on popcorn and lemonade.

"Vincent," he hesitated for a moment, "is my mate." There, he admitted it to someone other than his own fucking shadow.

"I already know that," Zoya said. "What about it?"

He gaped at her. "How-"

"Seriously," she rolled her eyes. "I literally understand everything about you."

Ryder wanted to slam his head against the tree. "Does River know too?" he asked her.

"I don't think so," Zoya said. "Well, he's never hinted otherwise."

Ryder thought he kept it hidden well. He was sure no one else knew otherwise they would've asked him about it.

"I have to tell you something too," Zoya said then. "I'm pregnant."

Ryder froze and gaped at her. "Are you kidding!"

"Shhh," she stopped him, "no one knows yet not even River."

"Why are we keeping it a secret?" Ryder asked. "This is good news."

Zoya smiled. "I know and I'm excited to tell everyone," she said, "but I wanted to tell you first."

"Why?" he asked.

Zoya laid her hand on his. "After what happened with my own family, I was scared when I found out that I was pregnant. I was scared of the blood that runs through my veins is now in my child." A line of tears appeared in her blue eyes.

"But you're not your parents," Ryder said. "You're one of us, a Drakov." The tears came down her cheeks and he wiped them for her.

"And I'm proud to be one," she said. "I want your niece or nephew to love you as the uncle who always fought for what he believed." Ryder's stomach flipped as he understood what she meant. "I want you to fight for what you want and be happy."

"I can't do that, Zoya," he said. "Vincent doesn't want the same fate as his parents. So, I decided that it's enough just to be by his side."

"That's what I thought when River rejected the bond," she said. "I thought that knowing that he is safe and happy was enough."

"What happened?" he asked.

"Well, River came to his senses in time," she chuckled.

"Not helping," he mumbled.

"I think you need to come to your senses and distance yourself from Vincent," Zoya accused.

"That's not an option, it's my duty to keep him safe," he said.

"I'm not saying abandon your duty," she chided. "I'm just tell you to take the lead."

"I don't understand," he frowned.

"First off, don't call him buddy or V, use his real name and see how he reacts," she suggested.

"You can't be serious," he replied.

"Of course, I am. And perhaps being locked in a room together wouldn't hurt either," she then added.

"He won't fall for it," Ryder said.

"That's because you never tried to seduce him," Zoya responded surely. "I've seen how you back away before he can even sense the change in you."

"But his wolf-"

"Is dormant because you haven't reached out," she said.

"I have," Ryder insisted.

"Perhaps as a friend," she agreed, "but not as a mate."

"I couldn't do that," he said, "it could hurt him."

"Pain isn't always a bad thing, sometimes it can save you," Zoya said.

Ryder took a deep breath that he seemed to be holding off quite some time. "Zoya, what if it doesn't work?" his voice was low.

"Can you honestly tell me that you're happy being so close to him but not claiming him," she said.

At that moment, Vincent walked out of his cabin in his own clothes too. The grey shirt hung a bit loosely on him and the pants were long too, it was cute that it tugged at Ryder's heart. He had seen Vincent in his own cabin multiple times but each time Ryder discarded the burning ache. This time the feeling did not disappear on command, it lingered enough to make him bleed inside.

"I want him more than anything in this entire world," he stated.

Zoya smiled over the cup in her hands. "Then it's time to get your seduction game on," she baited.

Ryder laughed and nudged her lovingly. "So, when are you going to announce your news?" he asked.

Zoya smirked at him. "Guys!" she yelled gathering everyone's attention immediately. "I'm pregnant!" They all freaked and she stared at him smugly then. "The Drakov's don't turn away because they're scared." She got up to accept everyone congratulations and hugs.

Ryder's gaze followed Vincent who was smiling happily at the good news. He decided now that this plan might ruin the bond they built over the years but it was worth the shot. He wanted... no needed his mate. Now, he just had to figure out what to do, which wasn't as easy as it looked.

After Zoya's pregnancy news, everyone gathered to discuss party plans and how they were going to surprise River since she hadn't told him yet.

Meanwhile, Vincent was sitting on the bench reading with Klaus and his son who was taking photos of the lake. He didn't know what it was but his eyes kept following Ryder who was telling Zoya not to keep this a secret from River too long. Zoya was smug about fooling her mate and would freak him out a little before she told him anything. Trying to bring his focus on the book in front of him, he peeled his eyes of Ryder and faced the opposite direction.

"You look so strange in a t-shirt," Klaus said.

Vincent heard his brother. "It's not mine," he said as he held the cotton between his fingers.

"I know," Klaus said. "You'd never wear something simple."

"I told Ryder to vamp up his wardrobe," Vincent said. "The man never listens."

"You should help him," Klaus suggested.

"I tried," Vincent answered. "He fell asleep in the store and only woke up because I bribed him with food." Klaus laughed.

Vincent knew Ryder through and through. The only thing that mattered to Ryder was his pack and his duty as a wolf enforcer. Fashion didn't even come up in his thoughts. He was a simple man who worked, trained, ate and slept. He never liked going out and wasn't a fan of anything in particular.

However, Ryder had style regardless of what he wore. Even now, he stood with his large figure that was ripped with muscle everywhere. Since he was shirtless, Vincent saw the tattoos that covered his right arm and extended over to his chest. He was still wet from being in the water again, it glistened on his tan skin and it darkened his tousled hair. There was no doubt that he would be formidable in a fight.

Sitting here, by himself on the bench, he smelt the rich fragrance of his friend off the clothes he wore, it was wildly distracting to the point that Vincent wanted to change his clothes... but something in him didn't let him move from this spot.

"Ender, eat some fruit," Klaus said.

Vincent looked up at his young brother who never dated anyone in his whole life yet one day decided that King was what he wanted and went with it like it was the easiest thing to do. Vincent would have thought that after everything that happened with their parents, Klaus would be the last one to mate. He was too angsty to ask Klaus about it so he kept his mouth shut.

"You're staring at me," Klaus said.

Vincent caught himself then. "I'm just admiring what a good parent you make," he said.

Klaus smiled happily as he looked at Ender who was eating blueberries but focused on his camera and the big pup that played beside him. "He makes it easy," he replied.

Klaus never had any relationships in the past before King. Vincent did and it was only with women, which left him to wonder if he'd ever be with a man. Suddenly, as that thought came to his head so did Ryder's name. He stiffened when a sharp pulse came from the back of his conscious, it was his wolf emerged from the dark. Why did that happen? he wondered. It wasn't strange that his wolf reacted to Ryder, since the only one that managed to create any type of bond with his wolf was Ryder. Vincent and his wolf felt safe with their friend.

He recalled what happened in the house like a boulder fell on him. "All I want to do is kiss you, and occasionally fuck you so hard that you won't be able to walk the next day." That was what he said and Vincent still couldn't wrap his head around it. And what was the burning ache in him that was growing rapidly? This never happened before.

"Hey, move over." Ryder appeared beside him.

Vincent moved to the side giving him room to sit. Ryder immediately got into a conversation with Klaus and Ender about the camera.

Vincent didn't speak except occasionally agree here and there because he found himself capturing the way Ryder talked when he was excited about something. The light in his blue eyes shined and so did his smile, it heightened the strong scent he carried as well. Being so close to him, Vincent could see the scars marring the man's tough skin, they were everywhere on him; his back, torso and some disappeared down his shorts and continued to his legs.

Unlike himself, Ryder's wolf was dominant and visible, like the full moon on a cloudless night. Resembling more of a beast than an animal, the wolf stood his ground at all times like he'd do anything to guard Ryder and keep him safe. The first time he had seen Ryder's wolf it was unbelievable, he'd never seen such a ferocious predator apart from Gabriel and Hunter. Even now, as Vincent sat with Ryder, his wolf was aware of Vincent's presence and focused on him as if he was a danger to Ryder. They had a respectable bond that no one could compromise.

Vincent wasn't sure when he lost his bond with his wolf, but he never found a reason to build it back when they didn't agree on anything. He knew that because his pheromones were weakening that this could harm both of them. He was going to have to fix this but didn't know how.

Klaus served lunch on the table and everyone gathered from their spots to eat. They got pretty hectic as they all chatted away about the good news Zoya gave them. Viola even guessed that she would have a daughter while Hailey was sure she'd have twins.

"Do you have coffee at home?" Vincent asked him.

Ryder nodded.

Vincent went to the cabin. "Do you want some?" he asked when he sensed Ryder join him.

"No," he answered.

Vincent spotted the coffee machine where it always was; next to the fridge plugged into the wall. He opened the cupboard right above it and saw his own white mug sitting there. Pulling it out, he prepared the machine to brew him a dark roast. Setting the cup down, he pressed the power button and the machine buzzed alive. He turned and moved around Ryder to the fridge where he saw milk and took it out.

"Earlier, your wolf appeared," Ryder said.

Vincent stiffened almost dropping the milk-carton. "You sensed it?" he sounded surprised but really wasn't.

"I did," he answered. "What were you thinking about?"

"You," Vincent blurted out. He regretted it and turned his face away trying to act like his coffee needed his attention.

Suddenly, the air shifted around him and he sensed when Ryder stepped right behind him.

"Me," his voice was low and right above his ear. "What could possibly trigger your pheromones while thinking of me, Vincent?"

He flinched at the sound of his whole name, which was strange because Ryder never said it like that. "I meant- that-" he hated that he stuttered. Focusing himself. "I meant that I was thinking about your wolf and the bond you two have."

Ryder didn't move back. "You want to know why him and I have a bond," he said. "He listens to me like I do for him." Vincent turned around then. Not realizing that Ryder would be so close. "You should learn to control your pheromones."

Vincent gaped. "You're one to talk," he said. "All I smell is you."

A carnal need flashed in Ryder's eyes, they darkened like an animal does once they spotted their prey. "I am controlled," his voice dropped to a husky whisper. Suddenly, the air thickened to the point as if someone blew a bomb in here, but there was no unpleasant scent, it was beautiful... powerful... even exciting. Vincent felt his wolf approach the scent without caution like he could dive into the smell and not give a care in the world what happened to them. "That's what happens when I'm not," Ryder said. "Everything in your body will react and you won't have any reserve whatsoever to my wolf or me. I can dominate you and you'll like it."

Vincent could tell that already. His body wasn't his own and this never happened before. He knew he couldn't control his wolf but he never thought he'd lose a grip on himself. Everything was reacting to this scent. His skin tingled like it was too sensitive to even touch, his muscles flexed and his body hardened, his breath going rogue to lust and his mind blanked only with the thought of Ryder beckoning him to fall into this powerful animalistic urge.

"Stop," he said harshly. Ryder leaned in, his mouth right above his. Vincent's breath was hard that he couldn't hear his own words. But he was sure he told Ryder to stop again.

Abruptly, the storm was sucked away like someone put it in a bottle. All the scent and urges left with it. Vincent stood gasping for air as he faced Ryder who backed away.

"That's what I restrain," Ryder grumbled before he left.

Vincent understood now what it meant to be a full-fledged wolf. "All I want to do is kiss you, and occasionally fuck you so hard that you won't be able to walk the next day." Why was he thinking about that again? He needed to stop and forget that ever happened since it was never going to happen. He'd never kiss Ryder or do anything untoward with him. They were friends. Nothing more. Right?

Eventually, he finished making his coffee and decided he'd stick to iced rather than hot since he was burning like a volcano right now. Vincent stepped out of the cabin and joined the group at the table. He sat amongst them but his mind kept dwelling on what happened a few seconds ago, while Ryder was busy helping Lupin throw Viola into the lake.

By the time everyone had gone for a swim and the sky was getting dark, Gabriel and the others returned home. Klaus left to prepare dinner as River and Gabriel all joined them at the picnic spot. At that moment, everyone wondered when Zoya was going to tell River the pregnancy news. She didn't say anything and even stayed perfectly calm as she stood with River and the pup by her feet. Vincent guessed she'd tell him in a private space, since this was a big deal.

"Get ready everyone!" Klaus announced, as Hailey brought a cake with sparklers on it.

"Did I forget someone's birthday?" Gabriel said alertly.

"Ryder, can you do the honours," Zoya asked.

"Happily," he said as he stood up.

"What's going on?" River asked as he looked between his twin and mate.

Suddenly, Ryder tackled his twin and grabbed his arms. Lupin was quick to grab River's legs. They swung him back before tossing the man into the lake.

"Thanks for making me an uncle," Ryder yelled.

River emerged out of the lake, wiping his wet face and raking his hair back. "You're dead," he forewarned but then blanked and went quiet. "What'd you just say?" he frowned sternly.

Zoya stood beside Ryder. "I'm pregnant," she said with tears in her eyes but the brightest smile.

River rushed out of the water and hugged Zoya. "Are you okay?" he asked as he grabbed her face in his hands. "What do you need? You shouldn't be standing." He took her to a chair as everyone started laughing at him.

Hailey placed the cake in front of the couple. They cut it and everyone enjoyed the delicious chocolate dessert before dinner. As Vincent shared his slice of cake with Ryder, he knew that his friend was beyond happy for his twin and Zoya. Ryder always wanted his brother to be happy and find the love of his life. Vincent wondered if Ryder wanted the same thing and what would happen if he found it.

"Do you want a niece or a nephew?" Vincent whispered privately.

Ryder's blue eyes gleamed. "It doesn't matter," he said. "Either one is going to learn everything from me."

"Especially how to annoy River," Vincent remarked.

"Especially that," Ryder agreed.

They both laughed.

Dinner was brought outside to enjoy by the lake and it got a bit chilly here too. After everyone enjoyed their steaks with roasted asparagus and potatoes. Vincent sat on the chair; snuggled under Ryder's sweater, he didn't realize when he fell asleep. Only that when he had, he knew that Ryder was watching over him and wouldn't let anything bad happen.

That was until they received a phone call from Bone and it wasn't good...