Chapter 25: Would You?
#25 of The Mating Season 5
Chapter 25: Would You?
In the gloom of Roan and Theo's hut, Zaldon made tender love to Kel. They moved in rhythm together, their grunts and cries low against the crackling of the fire. Kel closed his eyes and shivered as Zaldon's kisses left wet, hot spots of passion in his mane, on his neck, on the flexing flesh of his back. And Zaldon had never gotten so deep, Zaldon had never been so gentle and loving as that chilly morning when they realized this was it: they could be together at last.
The heights of passion waning, Kel lay in content in Zaldon's arms, his eyes closed as he listened to their tired bodies struggling to catch their breath, their exhausted hearts beating, their fur shifting as their hard bodies went from tense arousal to relaxed satisfaction. How long had he longed for this moment? Hungered for it, without ever entertaining the idea that it could happen? But it had happened: he and Zaldon could be together anytime that they wanted, could kiss each other, hug each other, love each other without fear of death. And what was more, they could share Aliona and Julyan between them. They could share one love, the four of them, and no wolf could come along and say it was wrong. They were in love. And for the first time in their lives . . . it was okay.
"Zaldon," Kel said, closing his eyes happily when Zaldon suddenly gave him a tight squeeze and kissed his mane, "I - I love you so much, I've waited for this for so long --"
"I've waited for you for so long, Kel," Zaldon said, and Kel could feel that deep voice rumbling against his heart as he was held. Kel smiled: when in Zaldon's arms, he always felt like the most precious thing in the world.
"But," Zaldon said after a short pause, "this . . . this isn't enough."
Kel frowned. "How can you say that? What more can you possibly wa --?"
The word was cut off in Kel's throat when a shiny golden ring was held up before his eyes. He stared in wonder. It was far prettier than the first ring Zaldon had given him, which was still on his finger and glowed dimly in comparison with the new one. This new ring was embedded around the band with small diamonds, and how those white diamonds sparkled in the firelight - as if their glory were a silent testimony of Zaldon's undying love.
Zaldon chuckled at Kel's shocked silence and squeezed him tight in his big arm. "I had them made years ago, for you and for Aliona. I've been thinking for a long time about asking the two of you to marry me, to come here and be my husband and my wife, officially, now and forever."
Kel swallowed hard, still in mute shock as Zaldon slipped that sparkling ring on his finger. He couldn't quite stomach it: not only was he free to be with the wolves he loved, but now he would be Zaldon's husband, Aliona would be his wife, and they would live with Zaldon - he, Aliona, and Julyan - as his devote spouses. They would begin a new life together, and together, fill their home with love. Still unable to speak, Kel stared, unseeing, at the ring as he day-dreamed of life with Zaldon and what it would mean.
Zaldon pulled Kel close and whispered in his ear, "Would you?" He burst out laughing when Kel suddenly rolled on top of him and shouted, "Yes!" He kissed Zaldon's face and hugged his neck tight, and Zaldon, still chuckling, held Kel tightly in return as he said, "Good, because I already proposed to Aliona!"