As they made their way toward the front pew, aunts, uncles, and cousins Atlas hadn’t seen in years smiled widely as they waved at him. Aunt Michelle stood and tugged on Atlas’s sleeve.
“Make sure you introduce me to your hot boyfriend at the reception. Is that his brother behind you two? Is he single?” She blushed before she sat back down.
Atlas frowned then noticed his mother walking toward him, looking radiant in her cream-colored strapless dress. Her hair had been done to perfection, and Atlas could see why his dad had fallen for her.
“You three have stolen everyone’s breath.” She hugged Atlas. “So many heads are turned in your direction right now.” She squeezed Kellen’s hand. “I just might run away with you.”
Atlas’s jaw dropped. Who was this woman, and what had she done with his mom?
“I’m deeply flattered, but your son beat you to it,” Kellen replied with a charming smile then kissed Atlas’s knuckles.
She grabbed Colt’s hand. “You’re sitting with me, young man. My Jacob looks dashing, but I want two gorgeous men on my arm. Those shoes look amazing on you.”
Colt gave Atlas and Kellen a shit-eating grin as he was pulled away.
“I think we stepped into the wrong church,” Atlas muttered. “Either that or my family was replaced by cheerful doppelgangers.”
“It’s a wedding.” Kellen placed his hand on the small of Atlas’s back. “That tends to put everyone in a good mood. Not to dampen yours, but why didn’t Craig ask you to be a groomsman since you’re going to be his brother-in-law?”
“He’s afraid I’ll smear my gayness all over his buddies.”
“That… sounds so dirty,” Kellen replied. “Can you smear your gayness all over me later tonight?”
“We can do all the smearing you want once this is over.”
Atlas pulled his mate to the front pew and sat next to his mom who was fussing over Colt. “Stop fidgeting. Jacob, tell Colt he looks dapper in his suit.”
Atlas’s dad looked as if he would rather eat his own tie. “Leave the boy alone, Monica. He already knows he can turn heads.” Then he stood. “I need to get to the back since my daughter can’t walk herself down the aisle, so behave, you two, while I’m gone.”
Colt was older than Atlas’s parents combined. He also looked as if he was thoroughly enjoying the attention. Atlas was glad, since his own mother had been horrific. It was about time Colt had a mother-figure dote on him, and not because she wanted to manipulate him. Wait. Had Atlas’s dad just treated Colt like a wayward son?
“You two look great together.” His dad patted Kellen’s arm as he passed by.
Kellen looked toward the floor but not before Atlas saw his mate’s eyes shimmer. He placed his hand on Kellen’s knee as a show of support. “I love you.”
“Love you, too.” Kellen cleared his throat and whispered, “I think Monica wants to adopt Colt.”
Atlas smiled. “You’re just as wonderful.”
“Babe, think about that for a second.” Kellen rested his arm over the back of the pew, making Atlas feel cocooned. He had to resist the urge to curl his feet under him and sink into his mate’s side with a dreamy sigh.
“Scratch what I just said.” Atlas gagged when he finally understood.
“Exactly.” Kellen grazed his soft lips against the shell of Atlas’s ear, a faint growl rumbling in his throat. “I’m not giving up your tight little ass for anything, mate.”
Atlas swallowed hard and whispered, “My pants are too thin to conceal a boner, so please stop torturing me until we get home.”
“Home. Mmm. I like the sound of that.” Kellen eased back as his green eyes filled with longing.
Atlas thought his mate was referring to the sex they would have later that night, but it dawned on him that he was talking about his house being their home. “Are you asking me to move in with you?”
“Never thought you would ask.” Kellen’s grin was irresistibly devastating.
Atlas loved his mate’s wicked sense of humor. It was blossoming more and more with each passing day. “I might say yes if you actually asked me.”
“You’re serious?” Kellen sat forward, scanning Atlas’s face as if looking for some punchline.
Despite Kellen’s brutal past, moments like this served as a reminder to Atlas of the innocence that still remained inside his mate. “Dead serious, wolf man.”