Page 214 of A Soul to Steal

“Thank you,”Gideon whispered so quietly, so airily, Aleron knew he meant more than just the offer of sleep.

When his bride finally, and rather swiftly, passed out, Aleron licked away the stray tear that fell from the corner of his eye. He stopped the droplet from falling onto his wing and removed the salty evidence of it.

In this embrace, filled with adoration and tenderness, there was no room for sorrow.

“Oh gods... where are my pants, Aleron?!” Gideon yelled, walking around with nothing but his shirt and jacket on.

Arse bare, dick swinging, he searched unsuccessfully, and Aleron was being utterly unhelpful.My feet and dick are fucking freezing!At this rate, his balls were going to shrivel up and recede inside himself just to escape the damn cold.Snow hadn’t blanketed the ground the last time we came to the north.

Aleron pointed to the tree he’d fucked him against. “Over there.”

“I already searched there, though.” He threw his hands up when a second search failed. “Can’t you just... sniff them out?”

With a huff that was done only to poorly hide his chuckle, Aleron stomped over to the location in question. “But I prefer you without them. They get in the way. Taking them off is difficult.”

It was only when Aleron clawed and yanked Gideon’s trousers from underneath the snow, which had fallen from a branch above, that Gideon noticed the nose of hiss boot was actually not a stick like he’d originally thought. He shook everything out and passed it to the shivering male.

“Yeah,no. I’m not walking around buck-naked like the day I was born. What if something bites me?”

He probably shouldn’t have bent over with his backside in Aleron’s direction – he just didn’t think about it with the rush to clothe himself.

A set of claw tips tickled over his rounded cheek. “The only thing likely to bite you is me.”

Gideon shot Aleron a withering glare as he pulled his undershorts on, before doing the same to his pants and tying them. Ignoring the shiver of cold that ran up his spine, hoping his body heat would thaw his clothes, Gideon hurried to put on his boots.

The glare had been empty. He actually rather liked this side of Aleron, and was relieved he was finally allowed to see it.

“You know I bite back.” Gideon threw a hand up to stop him from responding. “And before you say anything, I’ll find somewhere on you where youdon’tlike being bitten. You’re not afraid to lick me everywhere, so don’t think I won’t go exploring everywhere too.”

After Gideon wrestled to put his second boot on, he didn’t have a chance to straighten up before an arm wrapped around his waist.

Aleron lifted him, far higher than he normally did. With his backside resting on Aleron’s forearm and his back supported by the other, the side of his bony cheek rubbed against his own. Aleron squeezed them together with their heads at the same height, when usually he cradled him lower. Bright pink glowed from Aleron’s orbs, more passionate than Gideon had ever seen, as the big Duskwalker let out a deep chuckle.

Even his wings came forward to hug Gideon from one side, as the tips of them crossed beneath his feet.

“I hope you bite me everywhere, little spring.” Aleron nuzzled harder against his prickly five o’clock shadow. “We can make a game of it.”

Gideon chuckled back, and even tried to return his nuzzle by placing his hand under Aleron’s long jaw to bring him closer.

It felt like it’d been forever since his heart had been this light and lacked any painful aches. He also couldn’t remember if it’d ever been this... full and content.

For the first time in his life, Gideon didn’t feel like he had to hide. He could be himself, which could often change since he was an ambivert. With Aleron, he didn’t need a filter, and could just express himself in any way he desired – physically or verbally. Both were accepted, no matter how ridiculous.

Aleron took the doting as just that... adoration, even if it was Gideon threatening and picking on him. He liked that Aleron did it back, showing him just how playful he really could be.

After his short nap, they’d both been slow to leave their cuddle. Gideon had done so begrudgingly, but willingly, since Aleron wanted to leave.

But even just those minutes had been amazing, full of the warmth and love Aleron seemed quick to dole out. If that was what his future would be like, he’d be smitten with this big Duskwalker forever.

Gideon cherished physical touch, and the fact Aleron wanted to touch him everywhere constantly fed it. In just a short amount of time, Gideon not only consumed it until he was full, but to the point he was near bursting.

It was hard to keep his hands off someone like that.

He’d nearly fallen back asleep within the span of a breath when Aleron ran the points of his claws up through his hair and across his scalp. The action almost made him catatonic.

Those claws were dangerous... for all the right reasons.

Sure, Aleron’s nipping fangs stung, but he didn’t mind having a few love bites. Each one was worth it.

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