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Nick scampered back across the open fields, eager to get back to the quiet warmth of his cave.
It had been a long day out with the pack. They'd spent the morning collecting water and firewood, making endless back and forth trips to the lake. Now their supplies were replenished, they could breathe again, ready for the dry season to come.
But there was still the matter of hunting, which, while rather fun, was also exhausting. Nick barely had it in him to drag his trophy along behind him – a formerly handsome, now rather forlorn-looking deer who had put up an impressive fight as Nick had wrestled him to the ground It always made him rather upset to snuff out such majestic creatures – or any creatures at all, for that matter – but the thought of his mate’s face lighting up when he showed him what he’d caught was enough to push those thoughts away.
He picked up his pace at the thought of his omega waiting for him. The small circle of caves where their pack lived gradually came into view through the late afternoon haze, greeting Nick with the friendly sight of small fires dancing merrily in the clearing, children chasing each other around and mated couples sitting happily together on the rocks, nuzzling and picking leaves out of each other’s hair.
As Nick approached, he frowned, scanning the clearing. Charlie, who would usually want to be relaxing outside at this time of day, was nowhere to be seen. Nick set down his kill and strode towards the nest he shared with his mate.
Poking his head through the entrance, Nick heaved a sigh of relief when he spotted his omega curled up in the back corner, fast asleep. His mouth turned up into an affectionate smile as he tiptoed over, careful not to jerk Charlie awake. He settled down next to him, taking in his beautiful hair, slender legs and swollen belly. The lovely scent of his mate filled his nose, making him purr in happiness.
Roused by the low noise and the presence of his alpha, Charlie blinked a couple of times before properly opening his eyes and letting out a wide yawn. Nick grinned, wriggling to lie alongside his omega, nestling his face into Charlie’s neck and taking a long inhale of his scent gland.
Charlie smiled sleepily back at him, scenting him in return and licking an experimental stripe up the side of Nick’s face. Nick giggled and pretended to brush him away, rolling onto his side. His mate took the challenge, clinging onto his waist and giving him small kitten licks wherever he could reach. Nick made a performance of trying to escape, careful not to jostle Charlie’s belly. No wonder he needed a rest today – their little pup was growing fast inside him.
Nick eventually collapsed onto his back, his omega on top of him. They lay there for a moment, gazing into each other’s eyes. Charlie nuzzled his forehead into his alpha’s cheek, letting out a contented purr before sitting up again, nudging Nick to do the same.
He settled down behind his alpha, taking in the bird’s nest that was his hair after a day of hunting and gathering. Gently, he began extracting all the little twigs, leaves and the occasional insect that had become ensnared in Nick’s hair throughout the day, combing it through with his fingers as he did so.
Nick leant his head back against his mate’s shoulder, letting his eyes flutter shut as a contented rumble emanated from his chest. Charlie simply continued working away, until his alpha’s locks were smooth and glossy again. That done, he began pressing featherlight kisses down the trail of his cheekbone.
His mate opened his eyes, turning his head to smile lovingly at him. Nick cupped his omega’s cheek, finally pulling him in for a kiss, their mouths melting together for the first time all day. Charlie sighed into his mouth, a sweet happy sigh which made Nick’s heart ignite.
He pulled away gently, gazing at his mate for a moment before launching forwards to hug him fiercely. Charlie chuckled, taken by surprise, before wrapping his arms tightly around his alpha. The days were long at this time of year, and he missed his alpha miserably while he was out hunting with the others. But when he was near, he had eyes for no-one but his omega.
Other alphas in the pack used to look at them with jealousy – everyone had wanted Charlie, after all – but had since learned to accept that the pair were utterly devoted to one another, and now they watched fondly as they doted upon each other.
And they doted like no-one else. Every morning, noon and night the two were attached to each other, nuzzling into one another and stroking each other’s hair.
They could be seen every evening sitting by the fire, Nick caressing his omega’s belly as it slowly grew, feeding him small bites of whatever was roasting that night. Then Nick would carefully pick Charlie up in his arms, pressing a kiss to his forehead as he carried his mate back to their nest, ready to settle down for the night. Their life was bliss.