☽ Fang ☾ [Howl sequel] ✔

☽ 22 ☾

Colby had changed back to his human form as soon as his knot was able to slip from Sam's channel. He finally felt calm enough to try dealing with his human thoughts again. The white wolf whined softly, eyelids fluttering as Sam tried to fight exhaustion. The Alpha ran a hand through Sam's fur, smiling gently at his mate. They both smelled like sex and each other.

He felt like he was still at fault for this all and Sam's arguing back hadn't helped at all. In fact, in some twisted way in his head, Colby felt like he was more at fault now than before. If he had been a better mate... a better Alpha... a better friend... a better everything, this could all have been prevented. Colby hated himself.

"Sleep," Colby cooed to his mate softly, watching as Sam gave into exhaustion.

Carefully, Colby scooped up the white wolf, holding him tightly to his naked chest, and walked over to the bed. He placed Sam gently into the blankets and furs, doing his best to nest around the other's form, but Colby was no Omega. Still, he tried, and hoped Sam was at least comfortable.

Leaning down, he placed a kiss on the wolf's head, running his head over Sam's ears, taking a moment to study how calm Sam seemed now compared to the last 72 hours. They should have done this sooner... Colby made Sam suffer...

His thoughts drifted to his pack. He should check in on them. At least, he could try and save that relationship.

So, he went to his closet. He grabbed an old sweatshirt of Sam's and a pair of shorts, pulling them onto his body, inhaling Sam's faded scent on them. It would keep his Alpha calm as he went downstairs to check on the pack and to hear any updates on Amber and Xepher till he could come back up to his mate.

Colby couldn't keep his eyes off of Sam as he walked out of the closet and toward the door. Only when the door shut did Colby blink, wiping away the crimson in his eyes. He made his way down the stairs, hearing several voices coming from the kitchen.

No one heard him as he approached the room, not until Jake looked up at the doorway and saw him.

Several figures stood around the kitchen island, including Colby's Beta. Tara was on one of the bar stools near Jake with Elton and Corey across from the pair, musing over her laptop, but the most shocking visitor was the site of Aaron Doh sitting beside Corey. Everyone stopped their conversation to stare at Colby as he walked into the kitchen. He gave them a tight smile before turning to Aaron, "Didn't think you would be back so soon, bruva?"

Aaron smiled, and the tension in the room seemed to break with that moment, "I heard what happened at the Team 10 Pack house and came as quickly as I could."

Colby nodded, "How are you and Axelle?"

Aaron responded by bending his neck to the side, revealing a mating mark (teeth indents coming together to form a floral image), and Aaron was all teeth in his smile, "Much better."

"Congratulations!" Colby reached out for his Omega Seerer.

Aaron hugged the Alpha back, thumping his back, "Thank you."

Colby pulled away quickly, not wanting Aaron's Omega scent on him too much. He gave Aaron an apologetic smile, "Sorry, can't hug long, dude. Sam's in heat."

Aaron nodded in understanding, and lowered his gaze, "I'm sorry to hear about Sam."

Colby turned his head away from the Seerer, "There's nothing to say sorry for. Sam's okay. He's alive."

"Of course, Colby, I--."

"I'm glad you and Axelle are finally mated," Colby tried to change the subject as he turned his gaze back to Aaron, "I think you owe me twenty bucks, Jake," the Alpha turned to his Beta with a sneaky smile.