#billy x rhett

[jungle-angel]

Menaces to Society (Rhett Abbott x Reader)

Summary: You thought your boys were feral as children......wait until they turn twenty one

Warnings: Perry slander, Tillerson slander, taking a leak on somebody’s truck for revenge, drunken shenanigans etc. 

Tagging: @sebsxphia @lewmagoo @bradleybeachbabe @nobody7102 @creativitybeware​ @rhettabbotts​

The group of boys had all gathered at the Handsome Gambler, crowding around the bar as their favorite music blasted from the jukebox in the corner. After weeks spent on midterms and constant studying, the boys of the Delta Tau Epsilon Fraternity were more than happy to be blowing of steam, among them, Tatum and Tanner Abbott and Colt Tillerson. 

“CHUG IT!!!! CHUG IT!!!! CHUG IT!!!” the boys chanted as they lifted Tanner up by his legs for the kegstand challenge.

Tanner took in as much as he could, the bar owner timing him as his frat brothers cheered him on. Finally, he swallowed the last little bit before Jimmy Peterson, the bar owner, clocked him in and put his time record up on the chalkboard. 

“You my man,” Tate Dutton said, clapping a hand on Tanner’s shoulder. “Are the fucking kegstand CHAMP!” 

Tanner and the other frat brothers cheered loudly as Bo Andreola, one of the football players, lifted him up onto his broad, husky shoulders. Around 1:30, Jimmy announced it was closing time, only to be cued by the playing of Luke Bryan’s “Time To Take My Drunk Ass Home”, the boys and all the bar patrons singing along like a bunch of screeching seagulls. 

Out of the bar they stumbled, Tatum, Tanner, Colt, Tate and Jake Dutton, Joey Wheeler and a few others heading to the parking lot. “Alright fuckers,” Tatum slurred. “Let’s get us home, I’m drivin.” 

“Uh the fuck you are!” Danny Gonzales told him. “You’re drunker’n I am. I’ll call my brother.” 

Danny luckily had his brother, Antonio, on speed dial. Antonio never really drank and thus had become the designated driver along with three others. Unfortunately for them, Antonio was across town and wouldn’t be able to pick them up for at least a half hour. 

They wandered up and down the streets, looking for a place to wait it out, when they spied two familiar vehicles parked on the curb. “Oh shit,” Tatum muttered after letting out a rather rude burp. 

“Wassup?” Joey asked him. 

“You know who’s trucks those are, right?” 

“Aw shit,” Joey answered when he came to the realization. “That’s Trevor and Perry’s trucks.” 

“What are those fuckin assholes doin in our neck of the woods?” Jake questioned. 

“Probably doin each other in an alley somewhere,” Tate chuckled. 

Tatum and Tanner gave each other a look as soon as an evil little germ of a thought began to bloom in the back of their heads. Even Colt could tell what they were thinking without even saying a word. “You know what we gotta do right?” Tatum said. 

“Better do it now while we’re loaded,” Tanner told him. 

Tatum readily instructed for him, Tanner and Colt to take Trevor’s truck while the others could have at Perry’s. “Alright boys,” Tatum announced. “This one’s for Dad.” 

All at once the boys unzipped their flies and relieved themselves right there on the horrible men’s dirt spattered trucks, laughing the whole entire time. Too bad Jaime’s car hadn’t been nearby. Tate, Jake and Joey would have absolutely loved the thought of taking that one on as well. Bo and Danny held up their phones, taking a video of the drunken frat boys for later. It wasn’t long either before they were taking photos of their little graffitied creation, the words “Fuck you Perry” and “Fuck you Trevor” having been inscribed in the dirt with their own streams while the boys pointed at it and made stupid faces or stupid poses with it. 

The sudden blurt of police sirens and the flash of lights made them all straighten right up. Sheriff Joy hopped out onto the curb and shut the doors to the cruiser, sighing and laughing all at once when she saw the culprits. 

“Oh God, not you idiots again,” she sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. 

“HEY AUNT JOY!!!!!!” Tatum and Tanner greeted loudly and happily. 

**************

“Rhett can you get the door?!” you called from upstairs. 

Rhett groaned and rose from the couch, straightening his reader glasses on his nose before making his way to the door. When he opened it, he was a little less than pleased to find Joy on the porch.

“Hey Rhett,” she greeted. “I just picked up your little miscreants outside the bar and came to drop them off.” 

“Oh God, what’d they do now?” Rhett groaned. 

“Check their phones, I guarantee you there’s photos,” Joy laughed before heading back to the cruiser. 

“Oh damnit,” Rhett muttered. “Darlin, ya’ll better come down here, it happened again!” 

***************

The boys were absolutely silent as Rhett scrolled through Tatum’s phone and his camera roll, his face contorting into confused and wide-eyed expressions every so often. 

“So let me get this straight,” Rhett said, breaking the long, pregnant pause that had come over the kitchen. “You idiots were loaded beyond all human reasoning, were waiting for a ride home and decided to take a leak on a vehicle?” 

Tatum burped again. “Yep.” 

Rhett bit his lip, trying hard not to laugh, looking at you as if you’d break first. “Alright, you jackasses go upstairs and make yourselves cozy, I’ll discuss this with your mother.” 

The boys all stumbled up the stairs, trying their best not to wake Amy and Jeff’s baby who had just fallen asleep in yours and Rhett’s room. “Are they in trouble?” you asked him. 

“I’ll be nice and let’em off the hook this time,” Rhett chuckled. “Tomorrow when they’re all hungover is a completely different story.” 

[ratquesadilla]

just tell me you love me, cause that’s all i need to hear (chapter 1)

pairing: rhett abbott x oc

word count: 2520

ao3 link: https://archiveofourown.org/works/42427557/chapters/106814451

girl meets boy, girl falls for boy. boy falls for girl?

prologue

----

​​“rhett.” i said, nudging the pile of alcohol poisoning with my knee. “get up.”

“5 minutes.” he complained into his pillow. “that’s all i need.”

“you said that.” i paused, checking the time on my phone. “5 minutes ago.”

“whatever.” he droned, slowly rising from the hole he’d created for himself in his drunken state. rhett looked down and noticed the dried vomit staining his collar and pulled his black shirt over his head with ease. my eyes darted to the bull rider tattooed on the right side of torso, the tail of the bull pointing towards his armpit, a faint red blur surrounding it. i would be lying if i said i didn’t care, i always did. every new girl rhett entertained was like another knife through my heart, another reminder that the boy i’d been pining after from the sidelines would never be mine. i was always watching him from the stands, observing everything about him, but never being the girl he kissed after he set another rodeo record. 

in a room full of people, my eyes would always be drawn to him. to his almost mullet that perry and i teased him for everyday, or his cowboy hat that he’d worn every day for the last decade. but he didn’t think the same about me. in a room full of people, his eyes would be drawn to the prettiest girl. i was at peace with that, after a decade of unrequited love you get used to it. i knew that every interaction between us was strictly platonic, and i knew that it would stay that way. 

“the more time you take getting dressed it less time you have to eat.” i said, turning away from him and walking towards the door. “we leave for church in 20 minutes.” 

“you don't even believe in god!” he half-yelled as i exited the room. i didn’t have to turn around to know that he was thinking up a million different childish insults. when he’d finally decided he shot an “ass-kisser…” at the back of my head. 

“i know you are but what am i” i quipped back, flashing him the middle finger before turning the corner and descending the stairs. 

i wouldn’t call our relationship complicated, it was actually very simple. it was like we’d known each other for forever, even though we’d only met almost a decade ago. we were like childhood friends, with all the cheesy cliches. if my life was a movie he was the boy nextdoor and i was the lovesick girl. 

but this wasn’t a rom-com, this was real life.

——

sundays were the laziest days on the abbott ranch. the only requirement was that you were downstairs ready for church at 10, and at the dinner table by 6. everything else was free game. 

the mornings were always the busiest. cecilia was tearing through the kitchen like a tornado, preparing breakfast for everyone. it was the one day a week she would always cook. eggs, bacon, pancakes, everything under the sun. in recent years she’d increased the number of carb-y dishes she made. it was no secret that rhett spent his saturday nights drinking his liver to death, so the pancakes and bagels were meant to soak up the leftover alcohol in his stomach, a creative approach to sobering him up before church. 

bounding into the kitchen i noticed amy first, sitting in her chair on the end of the table closest to the phone and leaned down to lift her over my shoulder. moving to the living room and spinning in a circle. “hazel dawson you better not damage my furniture!” a voice from the kitchen shouted.

“i would never!” i shouted back, letting amy down. she immediately darted towards her uncle who had just descended the final stair into the foyer. walking back into the kitchen and taking a seat. “good morning cecilia.”

“mornin.” she replied, briefly turning from the bacon on the stove to meet my eyes. “i expect you got rhett out of bed?”

“yes ma’am.”

“no mystery girls?”

“no ma’am.” i replied, trying my best to not let a smile break my face. i wasn’t prepared for anyone to catch onto my feelings for rhett, especially his mother. it wasn’t that i was worried she wouldn’t approve of me, i knew she would. it was the itching feeling that if i told anyone what i thought about him, he would somehow find out. keeping the love i had for him secret burned a hole in my heart, but i knew it was for the better. i couldn’t risk ruining what we had and i would rather suffer in silence than lose a friend. 

rhett and amy arrived in the kitchen not long after me, amy taking her seat across from me and rhett taking his next to mine. 

“rhett you smell like a distillery.” perry said, choking on his coffee.

“and you smell like the girl from the pharmacy.” amy added, not looking up from the plate of eggs and bacon cecilia had just handed her. 

“vivian mansfield are you serious?” i said, slapping rhett’s arm. earning an “ow” from him.

“what?” he complained. “it’s not like we’re dating or anything.”

“rhett abbott i will not have you talking about the girls you proposition.” cecilia interjected, dropping a place of pancakes in front of him. “especially on the lords day. now eat, we need to leave soon.” the conversation quickly readjusted itself. small talk ensued for the next 10 minutes until royal came tumbling into the kitchen through the back door.

“y’all hear that?” he asked, a confused look on his face. almost as if he’d just seen an alien. 

“hear what?” cecilia asked. 

“that noise.”

“i’ve got nothing.” perry said, rising from his seat and placing his plate in the sink. the rest of us following suit.

royal stood there like a deer in headlights, his face completely blank. 

“what are you still doing standing there?” cecilia questioned, staring directly at royal. “we leave for church in 5 minutes.”

“church?” royal asked. “it’s only 9.”

“check your watch grandpa.” amy said, pointing to the clock on the wall. “you're an hour late.”

royal muttered a string of curses under his breath, earning a stern look from his wife and a concerned look from me. punctuality was a big thing for royal. in his eyes, being early was on time and being on time was late. what is going on with him, i thought. ultimately deciding to ask him later, when he wasn’t so out of it.

“abbotts in cars lets go lets go lets go.” cecilia exclaimed, pulling me out of my thoughts, and gesturing us towards the front door. 

of the 6 of us, there were 4 trucks. royal’s, rhett’s, perry’s, and mine. rhett’s had been purchased with help from his father, and his bull riding prize money, as a gift for his seventeenth birthday. in recent years perry and i had nicknamed it the “fuck-mobile”, the name was self explanatory. everyone usually avoided sitting in his car, worried about sitting on a unholy stain or or accidentally touching a used condom. but hey, at least he was being safe. 

all of the trucks were three seaters, so we usually traveled in 3 cars. royal and cecilia in one, perry and amy (and occasionally rhett) in another, and me and rhett in mine. today rhett decided to hitch a ride with me, saying something about how he was too hungover to listen to amy's upbeat songs. whatever the reason, who was i to complain?

——

the car ride was silent for the most part, mostly because of rhett’s raging hangover and my brain being caught between worrying about whatever was going on with royal this morning and being extremely jealous of vivian. 

vivian mansfield, compared to me, was perfect. it made sense that rhett would choose her, even if it was just for the night. i wanted her long blonde hair and her virtually perfect hands. they hadn’t been worn down by years work on the ranch, she had the type of hands that look good tangled in someones hair, intertwined with someones fingers.

when i was younger i would lie awake at night wondering what rhett liked about the girls he got with. wondering if i could dye my hair to look like theirs, or dress more like them. i would imagine that i was one of the girls he would drive around with, dream that i was the girl he would kiss. i would come up with elaborate scenarios whenever i got a chance to daydream. thinking of a future where we would grow old together, and shamelessly also imagining elaborate scenarios where he would have me in his truck. 

rhett abbott was the only boy i would consider having car sex with. 

“so.” i said, taking one of my hands off the wheel to begin picking at my cuticles. “you excited to ride tonight?”

“pretty nervous actually.” he said. “if i don’t win i don’t go to counties.”

“pressures on.” i joked, managing to pull a brief chuckle out of him. “you’ll be fine.”

“i know i will as long as i’ve got you, i mean y’all cheering me on from the stands.” he replies, catching himself after the ‘you’. almost like the two sides of his brain were at war. the wishful side wanting to push through and the logical side keeping it in check. 

rhett was a logical man. like his father he was no nonsense, he didn’t get caught up in what ifs he simply went with what he had. if he didn’t place in a competition it was never, “what if i didn’t do xyz right.” it was always, “i had a bad riding day” or “it was a bad bull”. after rebecca there was a shift in his thinking, he stayed level headed but the wishful side of his brain grew. it pushed harder and went from being a minor inconvenience to something like a devil on his shoulder.

rhett abbott had become plagued with anxiety.

he would never admit it, of course. but it was true. 

——

right column, back row, 2 chairs on the end. 

every sunday royal and i sat there for an hour exactly, enduring the service and wishing for it to be over faster. we were the only non-religious people there but we were respectful. we stood when they stood, lowered our heads when they did, shook hands whenever an arm was extended to us, and placed money in the collection bin when it eventually made its way to our distant corner. i was by no means evangelical, but there were times where i wished i was. times when i wanted to believe that there was a reason i was struggling. i thought that believing in a higher power controlling what happens to me would make everything make sense. make me feel better about my suffering because it was all apart of “god’s plan”. 

“until we meet again, i want all of y’all to tap into your heart. let your instinct lead the way, go with the flow.” the pastor said, concluding the service. prompting royal and i rise, and wave quickly at the rest of the abbotts before heading towards the door. 

“so,” i said, tapping the toe of my shoe against my heel. a bad habit i’d picked up when i arrived in wyoming. “what was up with you this morning.”

“nothing.” royal said, keeping his head straight and walking faster towards the truck. 

“that’s bullshit and you know it.�� i exclaimed, rushing forward and turning around so i could face him. “tell me what’s going on i want to help.”

“it’s nothing right now, just had a bad feeling.” he replied, waving me off and lowering the tailgate door. “you ready for the rodeo tonight?”

“i guess.” i muttered, kicking at the dirt behind the wheel. “not really in the mood today.”

“c’mon, you love the rodeo.”

“yeah, guess i’m just out of it.”

my feelings for rhett were the only thing i kept secret from royal. there was no way in hell i was gonna tell him i had a childish crush on his youngest son. 

he wrapped his arms around my shoulders and pulled me into a hug. 

“you know you’re just like your mom.” he said.

“yeah.” i replied, a smile forming at the corners of my mouth. “d’you think cecilia will mind if i leave early? i’ve got a couple errands to run.”

“you should be fine, just be at the rodeo in time for rhett’s ride.” royal said as i slid off the truck bed. 

——

i lied; i didn’t have an errand to run. but i needed to get out of there.

lately being around rhett was suffocating- like i was 17 again, watching him fall in love with maria olivares- and i just couldn’t handle it. 

my feelings fluctuated. there were times when i could function as a normal person, when everything was normal. and there were times when all i could handle was my daily chores. times when it felt like i was being crushed by the weight of every inconvenience piling up. it was an indescribable feeling, constantly changing. always unpredictable. highs and lows coming and going at a moments notice. 

i pulled into a parking spot on main, in front of the handsome gambler, pausing for a moment before getting out of the car. the skin around my nails were bloody and raw. fuck, i thought. mentally berating myself for bringing back the destructive habit. the bar was dark, and depressing, but hey; what else was i gonna do on a sunday? drinking away my feelings was an excellent idea. 

“can i get a beer?” i asked, sliding into the stool farthest from the door. not bothering to look up at the bartender.

“day drinking?” a voice to my right questioned. “it’s only 1pm.”

“yeah well i’ve had a rough morning.” i sighed out, turning my head to catch a glance at the mystery man. “and i don’t think you’re in a position to judge.”

“and why’s that?” he asked.

“because you’re also day drinking.”

“i guess the pot’s calling the kettle black.”

“y’know i’m supposed to be the one saying that, right?”

“tomato, tomato.” he joked, handing the bartender some cash. “let me pay for your drink.”

“take a girl out first.”

“maybe i will. you free on thursday?”

“i don’t even know your name and you think i’ll go out with you?” i teased.

“adrian.” he said, extending his hand and initiating a handshake. 

“well, adrian.” i said, pausing before saying his name. “it’s your lucky day. i’m very very free on thursday.” 

“how about the movies? they’re showing footloose at 8.”

“sounds like a plan.” i giggled, taking a second to stare at him. he was no rhett abbott but boy was he good looking. 

and after the years of bad luck i’d had looming over my love life like a storm cloud, who was i to turn down a date?

[strawhbrrries]

Hell on Heels.

pairing: rhett abbott x tillerson!afab!reader

summary: you made the devil a deal; he made you pretty, he made you smart and rhett abbott she’s coming after you.

warnings: everyone calls reader ‘honey’, sweet rhett, the tillersons (they need their own warning tbh but i love a good forbidden romance), mutual pining (sorta), unprotected p in v, car sex, a wee bit of fingering, creampie, let me know if i forgot anything, no use of y/n or description of reader, not proofread 

word count: 4.4k words

author’s note: i love rhett abbott and i think this rivals the cowgirl series as one of the best things i’ve ever written. I’m just a sucker for a white man in a cowboy hat. honey is ENTIRELY inspired by the pistol annies so channel them when you read them. I’ve been hyping this up to @thesirenrealm all night so i’m saying my prayers that it lives up! as always, please enjoy!!! mwah!!!!

read the next part here!

“The rodeo ain’t ‘till later tonight.” 

His voice was warm, wrapping you up in a thick blanket and protecting you from the world. A false sense of security, your brother’s had tried to scare you with some bullshit about not trusting the Abbott boys. As if your family was any better. 

“Stalkin’ me, Abbott?” You turned around to face him, the railing of the arena leaving indents on the undersides of your arms, the corners of your lips turning into a smile.

“Luke know you’re out here?” He looked around, almost like he was expecting your brother to pop out of the shadows somewhere and give him shit for even speaking to you, avoiding your question.

“No, and I’m an adult. I can do what I want.” You huffed, annoyed everyone saw you as an extension of your older brother. Even more so that Rhett did, you’d tried so hard to stand out to him.

“He doesn’t see it that way. Why’re you out here?” He inquired, leaning against the railing next to you, squinting his eyes as the sun found its way under his hat

“Space,” you looked over at him, “ I assume that’s why you’re out here?”

“Bingo.” He looked over at you, holding eye contact until you broke it and looked back into the arena in front of you. “Why don’t you leave the ranch if you want space so much, Honey? You’re out here more days than you’re at your own home.”

His observation was a slight stab in the guts, only because he was right. You loved your family, truly, as best as you could while keeping yourself sane. Luke wanted to control everyone and everything, including you and what you did. You were half surprised he hadn’t implanted a tracker underneath your skin, in your car, or downloaded one on your phone. In some ways it could be written off as well meaning, he just wanted to make sure his people were okay. He was just crazy, you knew it. Billy, he was a sweet thing, just never knew when to shut the fuck up. Your dad had gone off his rocker long ago, probably forget he had a daughter due to your absence around the house. 

“And where do you suggest I go, Abbott?” You scoffed at his suggestion, your family might’ve had some money but you’d never seen any of it. Buying a house or renting was out of the question. 

“Quit callin’ me that.” He scoffed right back at you, his eyes never leaving you.

“Fine, Rhett. Answer the question.” 

“I’ve offered multiple times, Honey. It still stands now.” His tone was softer now, more serious. 

You’d ignored him, walked away and got into your car, drove all the way to your house. You wanted to contemplate his offer, wanted to take him up on it but you’d just be intruding on his family’s space. You’d rather act like you only slept at your house before you became a burden to another family. Your phone lit up three times with Rhett’s name on your drive home, probably telling you to think of the offer or maybe asking if you were gonna see him ride later. 

He’d been shocked when you walked away, didn’t say a single thing or make any indication he’d done anything wrong. He was right, he’d offered you a place multiple times before, when he pointed it out he didn’t think he was going to upset you. He knew all about the loyalty you had for your family but he also knew the type of crazy Luke and Wayne were. Some days he wondered if you were ever truly related to them, sweet ol’ Honey. Your sweet demeanor earned you the nickname, you’d had it for years. It could be your real name and you’d know no different.

“Honey. Honey. Honey what the fuck.” Luke was yelling the second you walked in the door, it made you want to turn around. Pick up your phone. Tell Rhett you’d accepted his offer and was on your way.

“Luke, shut the fuck up.” Is all you had to say to him as you walked right past him and into your room, slamming the wooden doors as loud as you could. 

Luke had yelled something in response, you couldn’t give a singular shit about whatever that man child wanted. You balled your fists, shaking them at your door quietly as he continued yelling. All you wanted was some peace and quiet. That’s why you spent so much time down at the showing arena during the day time, nobody else was there. It was deserted. Just you and your thoughts. Apparently also Rhett, not that you minded. You liked Rhett, a lot. He was just the right amount of rugged to contrast the delicate world built around you from being the only daughter. Just the right amount of mean to contrast your sweetness.

Your phone vibrated from its spot in your back pocket, you pulled it out and looked at the name at the top of your screen. Rhett Abbott.

“Honey.”

His voice was soft, just as soft as it had been at the arena, not a hint of annoyance with you. You appreciated that he wasn’t making you feel bad for leaving him hanging, appreciated that the guilt you were feeling wasn’t because of his words. 

“Hey, Rhett. I'm sorry for leavin’ like that I-”

“It’s fine, I shouldn’t have overstepped like that. I just need to know if you’re comin’ to watch my ride.” 

You should’ve given it to him for cutting you off like that, but your sweet heart had a Rhett Abbott shaped soft spot and always had. You listened to him talk like he was preaching the Sunday sermon, like whatever he was telling you would save your life.

“Yeah..yeah I’m comin’.” You flopped back on your bed, imagining where he was and what he was doing. Were his thoughts filled with you? Like yours were of him.

“Good.” 

He hung up and filled you with disappointment, you knew he had to get ready to ride but it didn’t make you any less upset he didn’t have the courtesy to say bye. 

“Bye, Rhett.” You whispered into the air, laying your phone down next to you, staring up at the angled ceiling as your thoughts became overrun with what you’d wear. 

You loved being a girl; loved dressing up and looking pretty, loved the (wanted) attention you got from it, loved the solidarity you got from most other women. Tonight was no exception, the rodeo was your favorite excuse to wear the jeans that hugged your ass in all the right places and the bra that put the girls in the right place to get what you wanted when you wanted it. You didn’t need to dress up to impress anyone, you knew that but god if you didn’t love it. Touching up your hair and makeup was the last thing you did before shoving your phone in your back pocket, walking past whatever screaming fest your brother had found himself in now, and hauling ass to the rodeo. Sometimes, life wasn’t so bad.

“Honey! Over here!” 

Your head snaps to the group of girls calling for your attention, a huge smile immediately lighting up your face as you walked over to join the group. You gave all the girls a hug and a kiss on the cheek before settling in a spot, you hoped Rhett could easily see you in. If it wasn’t your whooping and hollering that would get his attention, it was the cowboy hat he gifted you years ago matched with bright red lipstick. You were sex personified. Hell on Heels. 

He’d spotted you the second you’d walked into the place, watched your hair bounce as you walked and watched the smile that stood proudly every time someone spoke to you. Watched your ass jiggle in the jeans you always wore when you dressed up, he hated them simply because he knew every man you encountered watched you saunter away the same way he did. The cat calling the kettle black. Rhett was many things but he was a dirty hungry man, hungry for all the things Honey Tillerson could offer. He watched you sit with a group of girls he didn’t know, nor did he give a single shit about, and try to get a glimpse of him. Unfortunately, he’d placed himself out of sight. He wanted to admire you from afar without being caught, boy was he glad he did when you started searching for him.

“Here for prince charming Abbott?” One of the girls teased, trying to get a rise out of you.

“Obviously, I don’t support anyone else as fiercely as I do for a man who isn’t mine.” You shot back, rolling your eyes playfully before breaking into giggles to let them know it wasn’t as serious as you’d pretended.

“All I’m sayin’ is, I’d never wait for a man who can’t commit.” You don’t know shit.

“Agreed, I mean I’m sure any Abbott boy is a catch but girl you’ve been pining after this man since grade school!”

You knew the girls were well meaning, just wanting you to go after a man who wanted you more than you wanted him. You’d die lonely before you settled for someone who wasn’t him, it didn’t matter if it took you a hundred years to get him to see you the way you saw him. He already did, you were just oblivious and put it off as some sort of kindness he gave to everyone. Rhett wasn’t the kind man to everyone like he was to you, he couldn’t give a shit if anyone had a place to stay trying to escape their crazy family, but he gave multiple for you. 

“Ash you can’t even talk, your man can’t keep it in his pants. Leave mine alone.” You snapped, feigning niceness despite the venom of your words, tilting your head to the side daring any of the girls to try you one more time. Your sweetness only ran so far before it ran out, they were running it thin.

“God if I was a man, Honey, I’d be knocking down your dad’s door beggin’ him to let me marry you. Scratch that, I’d pay him to let me do it! If anyone supported me like you support Rhett, it’d be a miracle I wasn’t knee deep in kids.” The girl next to you spoke, laying her head on your shoulder as she did so. It felt nice for your support to be noticed by someone. 

“I’ll be next in line in case he turns her down!” 

The girls continued talking about how they’d love to marry you in another life up until the announcer came on to start up the rodeo. The rodeo on a summer night was your favorite place to be. Between the screams of everyone in town coming out to support someone they knew and the lights of the stadium, it filled you with warmth. You only half paid attention to all the bull riders before Rhett, wishing them good luck but not enough that they’d beat your man.

“Everyone stand and welcome our hometown hero! Rhett Abbott!”

You were the first to your feet, yelling louder than you were the last time, making sure he’d see you before his run. He’d whispered to you one night after a run, sneaked to your house to see you and thank you for coming to watch him, that you were his good luck charm. That he searched for you everytime he was getting ready to ride, it was a drunken confession but a true one nonetheless. Ever since that night you made sure he saw you, that he knew his good luck charm was there. Your voice rivaled his parent’s in loudness, depending on the night it was louder.

You held your breath through his entire ride, always scared to death he’d fall and get trampled by whatever bull he was riding that night. He never did. Always came out on top. He was the hometown hero, after all.

“Rhett!” You called after him, running up to him as he exited the ‘Rider’s Only’ area. 

“Honey.” He smiled, scooping you up and twirling you around. It was the most affection he’d shown you, sober.

“Mr. Hometown Hero. Always winnin’, huh?” You teased, matching his smile as you looked down at him. Aware of the fact that he was almost entirely supporting you with one arm, your core just getting a tinge warm at the thought.

“Always, when I got my good luck charm here,” he nipped at your exposed collarbone, “God you are one gorgeous woman. Don’t know how the guys in the stand didn’t maul you before your pretty ass got here.”

“Oh hush, don’t care about ‘em anyway.” You placed a kiss on his cheek, waiting for him to cross the physical boundary of kissing.

He’d been close to it only twice before, once on your birthday and the other on the same night he’d first called you his good luck charm. Both times he’d been interrupted by a knock on a door and the holler of your name.

Your birthday is one you almost kiss you think back on frequently. You’d managed to ditch your family and friends for a few hours, sitting in the passenger seat of Rhett’s truck as he drove you back to your place. You invited him in, no one was home so there wasn’t anyone to tiptoe around. Showed him your room and locked the door. He laid down on your bed, moving onto his side so he could look at you as you laid down.

“Pretty lil thing.” He whispered, tracing a finger from the start of your forehead to the tip of your chin. He used that same finger to get you to look at him. 

The two of you laid there, staring at each other, for a few moments. Admiring the other person. If the rest of your birthday had gone horribly wrong, laying here with him made it all better. 

“Can I kiss you, Honey?” He asked, already running his thumb over your bottom lip. 

“Please, Rhett.” You whined, it was airy and desperate. 

He leaned in, keeping his finger on your chin and pointed towards him, his lips ghosting yours. There wasn’t a centimeter of space between the two of you, 

“Honey? Are you in there? Rhett Abbott’s truck is in the driveway.” It was Billy, the better of your brothers to have been home first. 

“Yeah I'm here! He brought me back and was making sure I was okay!” You scrunched your face in annoyance, pushing Rhett off of you and trying to hurry him out of your room before anyone else arrived home. 

The night he called you his lucky charm was also the night you think you realized that you loved Rhett Abbott, like truly loved him. He’d had his best ride of all season, gotten dragged out to go drink with the other riders when he’d rather celebrate with you. 

You’d gone home slightly disappointed, you understood the other guys wanting to celebrate with him but you also wanted to see him. You weren’t greeted when you got home, not that you cared, but it only added to your disappointment that the people who were supposed to care about you didn’t. Your phone had found its way in the middle of your bed, being left there while you took a shower in some attempt to scrub away the disappointment. When you got dressed and finally picked it back up it read,

3 missed calls from Rhett Abbott

Your face fell, how could you miss these? You clicked on the notification and waited anxiously as it rang, nervous he wouldn’t pick up. 

“Hey, baby.” His voice was loud, he was yelling over whatever commotion was going on in the back. Baby was new. 

“You called?” Your voice barely above a whisper, gnawing on the end of one of your acrylic nails as you awaited his answer. 

“Wanna come see you, see my girl.” His girl.

“My family’s here, you can’t.” Despite the thick walls providing a lot of sound proofing, you couldn’t help but whisper in fear that one of them had a cup to the door listening to your every word.

“I’ll park at the end of the driveway, walk around to your window. Please?” 

“Just…be careful, please.” You smiled softly at the reflection of yourself on the screen, excited you’d be able to see him tonight. 

What felt like forever went by before you heard a soft knock on your window. You unlocked it and pushed them open, leaning over the sill to look at him. 

“Rebellious rebellious Honey Tillerson, what ever will we do with you.” Rhett joked, putting his hands up on the window to hold yours.

“Congrats, Rhett. You did amazing tonight.” You took his hands in yours and smiled down at him, although you could barely see him in the dark. 

“Cause I had you, had my lucky charm, my girl.” His girl. 

Your smile at that moment could’ve lit up the whole sky, the brightest thing he’d ever seen. If he hadn’t forgotten his phone in his truck he would’ve snapped a picture of you, probably would’ve fucked his hand to it later.

“I’ll be there, every time.” You leaned down just as he leaned up, hopeful it’d finally be the moment you’d kiss. You’d be lying if it wasn’t something you dreamed about constantly since your birthday. Your lips were once again, centimeters from each other when a fucking knock on your door rang out. 

“Honey. Do you know where any of dad’s meds are?” Luke’s voice instantly filling you with rage, didn’t anyone in this house have anything to do when Rhett was trying to kiss you.

“No, I’ll help you look.” You yelled back, giving Rhett an apologetic look before closing your window and walking away to go help your incompetent brother.

Now here you were, in Rhett’s arms, inches away from his face. You felt like your heart was beating out of your chest, that he was gonna feel the excitement and the nervousness spilling out of you. And yet, he didn’t kiss you. He didn’t lean in or pull your face to his. He set you down, he put your feet back onto the ground.

“C’mon, I’m not kissin’ you here.” He read the disappointment written all over your face, grabbed your hand and brought you to his truck. “Because the last thing I need is someone trying to get your attention when it should be on me.”

“And your truck is that much more private?”

“It drives and the doors lock, your family seems to always need you when I do, I’d say it’s a bit more private.” He responded, opening the passenger side door for you and closing it once you got inside.

He got in the drivers side and closed the door, locking the truck and taking a deep breath before he turned to you. 

“Honey, I am going to kiss you. If anyone fuckin’ interrupts me I will become a murderer.” He placed his hand on your cheek, leaned in and placed his lips on yours.

You placed a hand on top of his, just reminding yourself that Rhett Abbott was actually kissing you. He leaned in further, deepening the kiss a bit to test the waters as this was the first kiss the two of you shared together. He swiped his tongue over your lower lip, a small whine escaping the back of your throat causing him to chuckle against your lips. 

“C’mere, pretty girl.” He helped you over the console in the middle and into his lap, his hands caressing your sides before finding their way to your ass. Giving it a nice squeeze, he’d thought about this every damn time you wore these jeans.

“Rhett.” You whined, leaning into him for support. Not because you couldn’t hold yourself up, you simply wanted to feel his hands on you and the strength he displayed earlier when he picked you up.

“What, baby? What? You gotta use your words, you know that.” He whispered, placing open mouth kisses along your neck.

“Need you..”

“Need me to what? Words, Honey, words.” He sucked and nipped at one spot directly under your collarbone, he knew it’d start some shit in the future but at this current moment he had you all to himself. He’d rather be a dead man than not mark you as his, hell he’d fucking carve it into your skin if you’d let him. He’d ask you about it later.

“Need you to fuck me..” You whispered, your skin turning pink at the confession and the lewdness of it all. Rhett wouldn’t be your first, you’d drunkenly hooked up with men before but it was a different kind of need to finally have sex with someone you’d been pining after.

“Was that so hard? I can do that for you. Take real good care of ya. Fuck you six ways to Sunday.” His words turning you an even pinker shade, you didn’t know he could say such dirty things but god if it wasn’t the hottest thing anyone had ever said to you.

Both of your hats were thrown into the back seat as it became a race of who could get their jeans off the fastest, you’d win by a few seconds as your mobility wasn’t limited because of someone else sitting on top of you. Your jeans would soon join the hats in the back, tossed loosely back there to just get them out of the damn way. Sure it would’ve been easier to just fuck back there but the small cramped space of the drivers seat was spurring the both of you in a way you hadn’t before that it didn’t matter where you fucked. You just needed to fuck. Now.

“Been thinkin’ ‘bout this. ‘Bout you.” He confessed, combing his fingers through your hair before smashing your lips back together, giving you no time to think.

Kissing Rhett was nasty, messy, and you loved it. His mouth was on yours, making up for all the times he tried to but hadn’t been successful in kissing you. His hands were roaming your body, caressing the newly naked ass presented to him. He felt like he was fifteen years old ago, seeing a naked body and losing his mind. But he wasn’t fifteen and you weren’t naked, he was losing his mind at the thought of getting you naked. It’d have to wait because he’d become a murderer if anyone else saw you naked from this point on. 

“Thought about you too. Your fingers and how they’d feel inside me, probably so much bigger than mine.” You confessed, taking breaths in between your words, staring at Rhett as he processed what you just told him.

“You are the hottest woman I have ever met, goddamnit Honey.” He groaned in response, sliding your panties to the slide and playing with your clit. “I’m gonna finger you for a second, just stretch you a bit and then I’m gonna fuck you. Okay?”

You shook your head yes and leaned your head against his shoulder as his middle finger slid inside of you. He twisted it occasionally, adding a bit of fun but never letting your orgasm build up. He wanted you to cum on his cock and not a moment before. He slowly added his ring finger to the mix, fucking into you slowly enough to stretch you and be not enough to get off. You wanted to cry when he removed his fingers, no longer feeling the fullness of his fingers, but it wasn’t long before it was replaced with the tip of his cock.

“How bad do you want it?” He teased, pushing just the head in and pulling it back out. Making sure to never let more than his head go inside of you.

“Rhett please, need it. Need your cock, need you to fuck me..” You cried out into his shoulder, gasping loudly when he pushed the whole thing inside of you. “Holy fuckin’ shit..”

He chuckled at your response and kissed the top of your head, waiting just a few moments before he pulled all the way out and pushed himself all the way back inside of you. 

“This pussy was fuckin’ made for me.” He grunted into your ear, slowly starting to move just a little bit faster. “Whose pussy is this?”

“Yours Rhett, shit, yours..”

He seemed satisfy with your answer and braced himself with one hand on the console and the over wrapped around you, fucking up into you like he wasn’t gonna see you again and this was your last night together. His thrusts were hard and deep, you’d felt a fullness you didn’t even know was possible until now, fast and rough. His soft grunts and groans were like music to your ears, adding to the warmth that was slowly building in your belly. The knot was slowly coming together and it was all the doing of Rhett Abbott.

“Shoulda done this ages ago, made you mine, made sure no one else touched you.” He rambled, words spilling out of his mouth at a speed you’d never heard him speak at. “Fuck, gonna make you Mrs. Rhett Abbott, shit baby, this cunt is so fuckin’ warm.”

“Gonna cum, Rhett I’m gonna cum..fuck fuck fuck…” 

“I’m right behind you, baby.”

He quickly brought his hand down to your clit and pushed you over the edge he had you teetering on. Your orgasm milked the orgasm out of him as he fucked you through it, making sure not to change his motions until you moved his hand away from overstimulation. The windows had long fogged up, only lines from your hair moving against them were left unfogged. He relaxed completely in the seat, breathing deeply in an attempt to catch his breath. 

“Holy shit, Honey. Fuckin’ Hell on Heels.”

[lewmagoo]

the killing moon | rhett abbott

part four of the wolf series ; must read previous parts before reading this one

listen to the playlist here

description: in which a wolf receives the greatest honor, but pays the ultimate price

characters: werewolf rhett abbott x werewolf f!reader, reader and rhett's children, my own ocs as members of the abbott pack

warnings: 18+ ONLY, smut, breeding kink, outdoor sex, mentions of pregnancy, mentions of death and murder, civil unrest, angst, violence, blood, bodily injury

It had been seven years. 

Seven years since that fateful day when your very life was put in grave danger, all because of the actions of one man. Seven years since you were stolen from your mate and brought to harm at the hands of ruthless werewolf hunters. 

It was all behind you now. The trauma still remained, but it had been soothed over the years, its pain lessening to a dull ache in your heart whenever you thought about it. Smoothed over by the loving hands of your husband. And by four tiny sets of hands that were a product of your love for each other. 

Things had changed in those seven years. Since that incident, the Supreme Court had cracked down on werewolf protection laws, at the prompting of the National Werewolf League. The penalty for werewolf hunting grew heavier. Zero-tolerance policies for the ‘sport’ were passed in every state. 

The Tillerson family was put entirely out of business. Following the death of Patricia during the harrowing moment of your rescue, Luke and Billy, the only remaining members of the family, were sentenced hefty to life in prison for their participation in your abduction. 

The NWL made a public example of them, using it as a way to send a message that told the nation that hunting was punishable to the highest degree of the law. No exceptions 

It started a revolution of sorts. Others came forward, with stories of how they had also been targeted by hunters. Gone were the days of being afraid to speak out. Wolves everywhere were empowered to stand up to those who’d inflicted harm upon them. 

And slowly but surely, hunting was eradicated. 

You and your pack never had to worry about hunters encroaching on your land again. The past agreement that Royal Abbott and Wayne Tillerson had come to over which plot of land wolves were allowed to live on was now null and void. You were free to take up residence wherever you pleased. 

Your pack, a mix of your own family, and the remaining members of Rhett’s, had banded together on the day you and Rhett had gotten married. The joining of two mates during a sacred ceremony, where you became one blood and one soul. 

Since then, you had lost a few members of the pack. Namely, you’d lost Rhett’s father, and his brother. Their involvement in the murder of Trevor Tillerson, with Perry committing the crime and Royal aiding him in covering it up, had brought the law down on them. 

Perry was sentenced to life in prison. Royal received a lesser sentence, but still had several more years to fulfill before he was reintegrated into society again. 

As for Perry’s daughter, Amy, she was already eighteen years old. After her father’s sentencing, you and Rhett had made the decision to take her in. His mother, Cecelia, took the aftermath hard. Losing her son and husband all at once was a lot for her. She fully admitted that she was not equipped to care for her granddaughter, so she turned her over to your and Rhett’s custody. 

You welcomed that little girl into your life, treating her as if she were your own. The two of you were closely bonded, even more so after what you had been through. Amy was more than happy to come live in your and Rhett’s home. Especially because that meant she would be there when you welcomed your first little pup into the world. 

A few months after your traumatic experience with the hunters, you gave birth to a healthy baby girl. She was the perfect mix of you and Rhett. She had his button nose. She had your eyes. She was beautiful. You named her Arya. 

Amy was overjoyed to have a tiny cousin to look after. She would hold and entertain the little one while you were occupied with other things. She never wanted to be away from the baby. You tried to encourage her to play with other children in the pack that were her age, but she didn’t seem to want to. She hadn’t bonded with them in the way that she’d bonded with you and Rhett. 

After spending a good portion of her young life with a physically absent mother and an emotionally absent father, she was holding on to the last two stable adult relationships she had left. The two of you gave her a sense of security that she’d never had before. She felt safe and cared for, for the first time in a long time. If she needed you to be surrogate parents to help her overcome the past trauma she had experienced, you were more than happy to be that for her. 

Along with Amy and Arya, your family began to grow in the next few years. Soon, you had a son, who you named Maximillian. Max for short. Following her, you had another daughter named Leia. And finally, you had your youngest, Zoella. All good, strong names that had once belonged to ancestors of your pack. 

There was something so special about raising your children in a pack. It wasn’t just family. You were all connected by blood and by spirit. A bond that withstood the test of time. You wanted your pups to grow up knowing their elders. Grandparents, aunts and uncles, those who had lived through times in history when wolves did not have the liberty to live freely within society. Times when they were mistreated and abused, simply for being who they were. 

Things had changed since then. Your community now had freedoms and protections that it had once been deprived of. Your children were growing up in a world where they were free to live where they wanted, be who they wanted, without hiding their true selves. 

But you never wanted them to forget all their ancestors and elders had endured to get to this point. 

It was important to you and Rhett that you gave them a strong foundation. Growing up, he didn’t have the kind of pack that you did. His family was dysfunctional at best. 

In the werewolf world, there was strength in numbers. His pack, if one could even call it that, had been small. Royal was the alpha. There was Cecilia, his mate. And Perry and Rhett, his boys. The only person to join the pack had been Rebecca, Perry’s wife. He had convinced himself and everyone around him that they were mates, when they were in fact, not. 

Even so, the product of their marriage was Amy. These six members made up the Abbott pack. Their small size made them vulnerable. That was why, when your pack came passing through, looking for sanctuary, they allowed you to have it. 

It was through that, that you met Rhett. From the very moment you came into one another’s presence, you knew you were mates. This led to your packs joining together as one. And Royal willingly surrendered his alpha status to Malakai, your uncle, and the alpha of your own pack. 

And for the first time in his life, Rhett felt like he was part of something. There was so much love within your pack. Everyone respected each other. Wolf customs were observed and held especially sacred. He’d never had that with his own family. Yes, he knew of his heritage, and he knew that being a werewolf was special. But that was as far as it went. 

He found a sense of belonging within your pack. And he knew in his heart that he never wanted his children to grow up the way he did, in a dysfunctional, broken pack. No, they would only ever know love, security, and safety. They would know where they came from and what their purpose was in the world. 

He made good on those promises. 

In your eyes, he was made to be a father. He embraced the role with ease, determined to do better than his own father had done with him. Where he had been told to “suck it up and be a man,” he told young Max, “it’s okay to cry. Sometimes ya just need to let it out.” Where he had been yelled at, he never raised his voice at his children. And if there were times when he lost his cool in front of them, he always made it a point to apologize in the end and make it right. 

He wasn’t perfect, but he worked hard every day of his life to be the father his pups needed him to be. And for that, you admired and respected him. 

Your love for him already burned like an unkempt flame, but seeing him raise your children? It grew tenfold. And as the years past, that love that you shared never wavered. It was undying. Eternal. 

You had watched him flourish over the last seven years. Without his family to hold him back, he had come into his own. He was an integral part of your pack, and did all he could to protect its sanctity. 

His deep loyalty had caught the attention of the pack elders. Especially your Uncle Malakai. He was getting up in years, and knew that he needed to hand off his responsibilities as alpha to someone who was younger and full of life. He had his sights set on Rhett, unbeknownst to you. 

Malakai consulted the pack elders, presenting who he wanted to choose to replace him. They were all in agreement that Rhett was the best choice for the job. 

And so, one evening in late October, you received a knock at your door. You had just finished dinner, and the kids were beginning their bedtime routine. 

Their favorite part of the evening was getting to curl up on the couch in the living room while their daddy read them a story. That time together as a family was sacred to you and Rhett. To bond with your little ones, to have a moment of peace as he read to them from a book of their choosing. You cherished every moment. 

But that night, that moment was interrupted by a guest. 

“I’ll get it,” Amy announced, already heading for the door. 

Rhett was just getting the kids settled on the couch, with you coming to join them all. You paused, however, when you heard your uncle’s voice. 

“Uncle Malakai’s here,” Amy called over her shoulder, moving aside to let the man in. 

“Evenin’, Abbotts,” he greeted you all, smiling warmly. 

Your oldest three children jumped up in excitement, immediately rushing over to hug their uncle. You smiled at their enthusiasm. They loved him so much. 

“Hey, we just finished dinner. Want a plate to take home with you?” You asked him. 

He shook his head as he lifted your youngest, Zoella, onto his hip, cooing at her. “No thanks sweetheart. I actually came to speak with you and Rhett.”

Behind you, Rhett rose to his feet. “Everythin’ alright?” He asked. 

Malakai held his gaze. “Yeah, everything’s fine. But it is important.”

“Okay, gimme one minute.” Rhett turned to address the kids. “Alright pups, Mama and Daddy have to go talk to Uncle Malakai for a few minutes. You be good for Amy, alright?”

“Okay Daddy!” They all echoed, and Amy took over tending to them, grabbing Zoella from Malakai to free his hands up before he turned to lead you both outside. 

Once on the porch, blanketed by cool night air, shoes thudding against solid wood, Rhett pulled the door shut behind the three of you. 

“What’s goin’ on?” Rhett questioned. You moved to stand beside him, your shoulder brushing against his. 

“I’ve got news. Bittersweet news. But I wanted to personally deliver it to you myself.” Malakai leaned against the porch railing, folding his arms over his chest. “If ya couldn’t tell, I’m gettin’ old. I’m not the wolf I used to be. My senses are dull, and I don’t think I can lead this pack effectively anymore. So I’m lookin’ for someone to replace me.”

His eyes never left Rhett’s. There was an intensity behind them, a conviction. Beside your husband, your breath caught in your throat. You knew what was coming next. So did Rhett. 

“Rhett, I’ve thought long and hard about it, and I want you to take my place.” He went quiet for a moment, allowing the news to sink in. 

Rhett let out an incredulous breath, shaking his head as he brought his hand up to run his fingers absently over his jaw. He knew what an honor this was, and he was floored. 

“Wh…why? There are plenty’a other pack members who are probably a lot more qualified than I am.” His disbelief was palpable. 

Malakai shook his head. “I took it to the elders. We’re all in agreement. We firmly believe you are the best wolf to lead this pack. Will you accept this honor?”

How could he deny it? Rhett had great respect and admiration for Malakai. He felt that declining this offer would be a slap to the face. And even more so, he had a duty to fulfill. To his pack. To his mate. To his children. 

“Yes. I’ll accept it,” Rhett finally replied. 

Malakai’s face broke into a grin. He stepped forward, reaching out to shake Rhett’s hand. “My boy. I’m so glad you said that.”

Rhett smiled back, though there was trepidation in his eyes. “So what happens next? I’ve never been part of an alpha ceremony.”

Malakai nodded. “Don’t worry, you’ll meet with the elders soon and they’ll discuss everything. The ceremony will happen on the next full moon. Which, coincidentally, is next Friday.”

Rhett’s eyes widened. He only had a week to prepare for this? It seemed like it was happening so fast. His chest tightened with anxiety. Had he really just agreed to this? The highest, most sacred honor in the wolf community? 

“A-alright,” was all he could say. 

You could sense his uncertainty. You placed a steady hand between his shoulder blades, and he relaxed a little under your touch. 

“I’ll get the elders together, and we’ll meet tomorrow morning at sun up, at my place. How does that sound?”

“Yeah…yeah, I’ll be there.”

Malakai bid you farewell before he walked off into the night, leaving you and Rhett alone on your porch. You stood there in silence for a beat, both of you processing what you had just been told. 

Slowly, you turned toward your husband, and as realization set in, your eyes filled with tears. “Rhett…” you whispered, your voice breaking. 

His eyes, blue and impossibly deep, met yours. “I know,” he whispered back. 

Without warning, you lurched forward, throwing your arms around his neck. His own arms instinctively came up to wind around your waist. You held each other, standing on your porch in the cool night air. 

“I can’t believe it,” he whispered when you parted, his voice thick with emotion. 

You smiled, lifting your hand to brush a lock of hair away from his forehead. “I can. You deserve this, my love. I can’t think of a better man to take on this responsibility.”

He let out a breath, a plume of condensation puffing out into the air, his head shaking as he did so. “I don’t know about that.”

You touched his face, bringing his chin up so he’d look at you. “Don’t you dare sell yourself short, Rhett. You’ve earned this. And you’ll be the alpha this pack needs, I just know it.” You leaned in to tenderly kiss him, and he reciprocated, mouth moving against yours with ease, familiar and soft.

“I love you, little wolf,” he murmured against your mouth when you parted. 

“I love you too. And I’m so proud of you.” You nuzzled your nose against his before you reluctantly pulled away. “Guess we should go back inside and wrangle the pups.”

“Guess we should.” He slipped his arm around you, and you sauntered back into the comforting warmth of your home.

That night, after the littles were all tucked in their beds, safe and warm, Rhett lay awake, staring at the ceiling, replaying the conversation with Malakai. This was a life-altering moment. Things would never be the same again after this. It was the most important role he would ever fulfill, aside from his role as your mate and as a father to his children.

Was he cut out for this? Could he lead an entire pack of werewolves? This was no longer limited to just his family depending on him. This was an entire community. He would be the figurehead of the Northeast Wyoming Pack, representing a growing population of wolves, the largest in the entire state, in fact. The thought of being their leader scared the hell out of him.

But he would be a fool to turn down an opportunity like this. Not to mention, it would be seen as disrespectful to Malakai to decline this honor. So, the very next morning, he rose before the sun, ready to face the elders and formally tell them that he accepted this position.

You stirred when you heard him moving about the room, and you turned onto your side, squinting in the light that streamed in from the bathroom. When he saw that you were awake, he stopped at your side of the bed, leaning down to kiss your forehead.

“Gonna go meet the elders now,” he whispered.

“Mm,” you hummed, reaching out to squeeze his hand. “Good luck.”

“Thank y’ darlin’,” came his reply. He returned your hand squeeze before he finally slipped away, pausing to shut off the bathroom light before he made his way down the steps. He was quiet on his feet so as not to wake the rest of the house, stopping at the door to grab his boots before he stepped out onto the porch, taking a seat on the bench near the door to put them on. 

He let out a soft sigh, steeling himself before he stood and began the trek across the property toward Malakai’s place, where the elders regularly met. The entire walk, his mind was spinning, trying to process the fact that he was going to stand before these revered wolves and begin the journey of receiving alpha status. Never in a million years would he have dreamed this would be happening.

But it was, and soon, he was on Malakai’s doorstep, lifting a hand to knock on the door, and taking a deep breath to steady himself. Moments later, the door came open, and there was Malakai’s wife, Larissa, standing in the doorway.

She smiled warmly at Rhett. “Good mornin’, honey!” She greeted. “Come on in, I just put on a fresh pot of coffee. Everyone else is on the back deck.”

He thanked her, leaning in to give her a quick hug before he headed into the house, right to the sliding doors that led out onto the deck. There, the five pack elders awaited him, each of them seated at the large rectangle table in the middle of the deck.

When Malakai saw him, he stood. “There’s the man of the hour,” he said with a smile, as Rhett stepped outside to join the group.

“Mornin’,” Rhett replied, reaching out to shake Malakai’s hand. He looked around the table, bidding good morning to each elder.

Gwenevere, Leo, Nora, Matthias, and Sebastian. All the oldest members of the pack. The purpose of their counsel was to ensure everything was done decently and in order. They were advisors to the alpha. 

“Have a seat,” Malakai urged Rhett, and he did so, thanking him for his graciousness. Rhett tried to hide his nerves, clearing his throat and squaring his shoulders as he took a seat across them at the table. His heart quickened in his chest. He knew that all of them could hear it. They could already sense his unease.

Gwenevere leaned forward, her hands folded on the tabletop. Her eyes, stormy gray, remained fixed on Rhett’s face, regarding him with an unreadable expression. “Malakai tells us you are willing to accept his position as alpha of this pack.”

“Yes ma’am,” came Rhett’s response. 

“This is the highest honor you will ever be given. Are you prepared to put the needs of this pack for your own?” Sebastian spoke up.

“I am.”

“And are you willing to protect them, no matter the cost?”

Rhett looked directly into Sebastian’s eyes. “Yes. I’ll do whatever it takes to protect this family.”

“Young wolf,” Nora interjected, pointing her finger at him. “Do you understand how sacred this job is? Do you realize what is at stake here?”

He did not waver beneath her hard gaze. His mind went to you and his children. There was nothing he would not to do keep you safe. And he knew that he would be just as diligent in safeguarding all the other wolves that would soon be under his care. 

“I do. And I have t’ say…before you all showed up here all those years ago, I never knew what it was like to be part of a pack. Not really. My family was all I had, and when my brother did what he did…after what happened to m’ wife…you didn’t turn your backs on me. You showed me what it means to be part of somethin’. And I’m honored that you’d let me take charge of this. I promise to do everythin’ I can to be the alpha these wolves need me to be.”

His words hung in the air, and he awaited a response with bated breath. 

Matthias was the one who spoke next. “Rhett, when Malakai brought your name up as a potential candidate to replace him, all of us were in agreement that you were the best fit for the job. I know that you won’t disappoint us.”

Rhett shook his head. “I won’t let you down. I swear to you.”

The alpha and the five elders regarded him silently, before Gwenevere finally broke that quiet moment. 

“Then it’s settled. By the light of the next full moon, you will be named alpha over this pack.”

And just like that, the meeting was adjourned. 

Rhett went home that morning, his mind still spinning just as it had been when he woke up. Reality was beginning to set in. This wasn’t a fantasy, this wasn’t a dream. This was real, he was going to become an alpha in just a few short days. 

He knew that there was someone who deserved to know the news. So, he detoured on his walk home, and instead headed for the house that he had grown up in. 

His boots crunched against the gravel as he sauntered up the drive. He knew Cecilia would be awake. She’d always been an early riser. And sure enough, when he made it up to the porch, he could hear her singing softly to herself as she worked in the kitchen, making breakfast. 

Rhett knocked on the door before he called out, “It’s Rhett, Ma!”

Moments later, she was at the door, pleasantly surprised to see him. “What a nice surprise!” She exclaimed as she reached out to hug him. He reciprocated, hugging her extra tight. 

“Just thought I’d stop by for a few minutes. Been a while since we talked,” he mused. 

Cece smiled warmly. “Well come on in!” She motioned for him to step inside, and he did so, following her as she strolled back into the kitchen. “I was just startin’ on breakfast. I can fix ya somethin’, if you want. Could pan scramble you an egg, just like you used to eat.”

Rhett gently declined. “No, I better not. Gonna head back and eat breakfast with the babies in a few,” he explained. 

Cece’s face fell slightly. “Oh, yes. I guess you wouldn’t want to miss breakfast with them. Lord knows your father regretted not spending more time with you and your brother.”

Rhett didn’t acknowledge the comment. He didn’t want to get into a discussion about Royal and Perry. Instead, he kept the mood lighthearted. “I came because I have somethin’ to tell ya’, Ma.”

Her curiosity was piqued. “What is it?” And then, “it’s not a new pup, is it?! That would be wonderful!”

But he shook his head. “No, it’s not a pup. But…well, I’ve been asked to be the alpha of our pack.”

A beat passed. Then another. Her eyes filled with tears. “Rhett, that’s…that’s wonderful,” she whispered in disbelief. She pulled him in for another hug. “Oh, my boy, my boy. I’m so proud of you!”

When they parted, they were both smiling from ear to ear. “I wanted you to know before they announced it to everyone.”

She lovingly touched his cheek. “Thank you. I really appreciate you tellin’ me.” Her eyes still glimmered with unshed tears. “I really am so proud. Your daddy is going to be too. I’ll have to call him up and let him know. Unless…you want to do it?” She looked up at him hopefully. 

Rhett hesitated. His relationship with Royal was complicated. He had not spoken to him in a long time. Although seven years had passed since your abduction, and finding out that Royal had been involved in covering up Perry’s crime, it had still left a mark. 

Rhett had been able to move on for the most part, but there was still a disconnect there between him and his father. It was the fact that he had chosen to protect his oldest son, over his youngest. He had betrayed the trust Rhett had in him, and it severed any bond they might have had. 

“You can just let ‘im know,” Rhett answered his mother. 

She tried to hide her disappointment. “Alright, I will.”

He sighed softly before he finally decided to bid her goodbye. “Well, that’s all I wanted to tell ya. Ceremony will be on the full moon.”

“I’ll be there,” she assured him. Then she hugged him again. “Look at you. One of my sons, an alpha.”

He mustered a smile. “Who woulda thought, huh?”

She patted his cheek. “I would have. You’re a good man, Rhett. And it ain’t because of anythin’ me or your father did. You chose to do the right thing because that’s just who you are. And because of that, I know you’ll be the best alpha this pack ever had.”

He felt tears well in his eyes. Praise was hard to come by from his parents. Royal especially. He couldn’t remember a time when he’d heard his father tell him he was proud of him. And even now, he doubted the man would say those words, despite the high honor that had just been bestowed upon him. 

“Thanks, Ma,” he whispered. 

“I meant every word.” She parted from him, stepping back and motioning to the door. “Now go on, get. Enjoy your breakfast with your family.”

After sparing her a final glance, he stepped back outside into the brisk October air, pausing to take a deep breath. He hadn’t expected speaking to his mother to bring up so many memories and emotions. He tried to keep in touch with her regularly, especially because she lived right down the way from him, and he had no excuse not to speak to her. 

But sometimes, it was hard. Going back to that house was a reminder of a childhood filled with unrest. Back then, he hadn’t noticed how unhealthy it was. It wasn’t until after you walked into his life, and you started a family of your own, that he realized what a stable, wholesome family unit was like. 

He mourned for that little boy who had not experienced gentleness from his father. The way Rhett was with his own children was not the way Royal had been with him. His father had been dismissive of his emotions. Men don’t cry. And certainly not men who are part wolf. 

It was something that Rhett still struggled with to this day. You had helped him considerably in learning to express his emotions, but he supposed he would always have that small voice within him, telling him he was weak for allowing emotion to bubble to the surface. 

But he tried his best to put those days of his childhood behind him. He had four little ones that he had the opportunity to show love and patience to. He could give them things he hadn’t had when he was a child. He could be a good father. 

Just like he would be a good alpha. 

Your words from the night before rang in his head as he walked back to your house. Don’t you dare sell yourself short, Rhett. You’ve earned this.

It was time he trusted in his own abilities. 

In the following days leading up to the ceremony, Rhett was thrumming with nerves. The children noticed something was off. 

You had explained to them that their father was going to be taking leadership of the pack, but you weren’t sure how well their little minds could fully process the magnitude of the situation. 

But they would soon witness it for themselves. As small as they were, with your oldest being seven, and your youngest being only one, you still wanted them to witness this monumental moment in their father’s life. 

Your heart was warmed when, the night before the ceremony, you heard your son Max talking to Rhett as he got the boy ready for bed. 

“I want to be an alpha just like you when I grow up, Daddy,” he said. 

Rhett hummed, ruffling his son’s hair. “And I bet you will, buddy. Couldn’t think of a better wolf to take my place.”

The five-year-old looked up at his dad. “Are you scared to be an alpha?” He could not enunciate his L’s yet, so the word came out as “owpha.”

You watched from the doorway, eyeing Rhett as he knelt down so that he was eye level with Max. He hesitated for only a moment. His instinct was to deny fear, but what good would that do to his son? He needed to own up to his feelings. He needed to be transparent, because he owed that much to his children. “Yeah, I am. And y’know what? It’s okay to be scared.”

Max nodded, his little face serious. “Mama says that all the time.”

“And she’s right. Sometimes we gotta do things that scare us, because in the end, somethin’ good will happen.”

You could see Max’s mind working behind his eyes. “Daddy?”

“Yeah?”

“I think you’re really brave.”

Rhett didn’t bother to hide his tears. He hugged his boy to his chest, his large hand coming up to rest at the back of his head, cradling him there. “Thank you, bud.”

You were touched, and tears reached your own eyes. Max had such a tender heart. Even at such a young age, he was sensitive to the feelings of those around him. You hoped he would never lose that sweet spirit.

After their conversation, Rhett gently coaxed him into bed, making sure the blankets were tucked in around him, before you finally made your presence known. You reached out, placing a steady hand against Rhett’s back as you leaned down to kiss your son on the forehead.

“Goodnight, sweet boy,” you whispered.

“‘Night, Mama.”

After he was settled, the two of you quietly left the room, and Rhett shut the door behind him. And just like that, all four of your children were tucked safely in their beds, leaving you with a moment of peace.

“He loves you so much, Rhett,” you whispered to your husband as you walked toward the steps that led up to your bedroom. 

He nodded, slipping his arm around your waist. “He’s a good boy. Reminds me a lot of me when I was a kid…just, different.”

You paused, turning to cup his cheek. “Different because he has a daddy who’s patient and loving.”

Rhett let out an unsteady breath. “I really try, y’know?”

“I know you do, and it shows. There’s no doubt in that boy’s mind that you love him. There’s no doubt in any of our pups’ minds about that.” You leaned in to kiss him tenderly, and he hummed against your mouth, his large hands coming up to rest at your hips. 

“I love you,” he confessed.

“I love you too,” came your reply as your fingers stroked at the scruffy edge of his jaw. Another kiss, and you spoke again, “Now c’mon, let’s get to bed. Got a big day ahead of you tomorrow. Need all the rest you can get.”

You kissed him again, your body lingering against his for a moment, relishing in the closeness. These past few days had been all out of sorts for you both. Rhett was so wrapped up in preparing for the alpha ceremony that he hadn’t taken a moment to just be with you. To hold you in his arms, to sit in the stillness. 

He realized that this was what he needed. You were what he needed, you were the healing balm. So, that night, he let you be that for him. Let you snuggle against his chest, and whisper reassuring words as you rested your head on his chest. And for the first night that entire week, he found rest. 

The next morning, he woke to the first rays of morning sun peeking in through the window. He was safe and warm in his bed, with his mate in his arms, and for those first few moments of consciousness, nothing else mattered. 

When you stirred, you found him gazing down at you. You smiled sleepily, cuddling up against him. “Mornin’, my love.” And then, your eyes met his. “It’s ceremony day.”

He let out a hum. “Mm. I’m so fuckin’ nervous.”

“I’ll be right there with you, baby. I promise.”

And he knew you would be. 

When you finally forced yourselves out of bed, you took the time to prepare him his favorite breakfast. You wanted to make him feel special, and you succeeded. He sat at the table with his two littles, Leia and Zoella, in his lap, while Arya and Max had pulled their chairs on either side of him to huddle in close. It was as if they could sense his trepidation and wanted to comfort him. Surrounded by his wife and babies, Rhett felt all the love and support in the world. He had everything he could ever ask for. 

In fact, throughout that entire day, all four children stayed glued to their father, and he let them. Their presence brought him comfort. In anticipation of this very day, you had kept Arya and Max home from school, because you knew they would be out of sorts with the upcoming ceremony. They needed to be here, with their pack. 

Not to mention, Rhett needed them. 

As each hour passed, bringing sunset closer and closer, Rhett grew more restless. The anticipation of the full moon always made wolves antsy, but that, paired with the knowledge that in a few short hours, he would become an alpha, increased that restlessness tenfold. 

While the children were occupied with an art project at the kitchen table, thanks to Amy, who had offered to set it up for them, Rhett kissed you and informed you that he was going on a run to clear his head. 

“Want me to come with you?” You offered, snuggling into his side. The two of you loved going on runs together. It was where you’d slip into wolf form and dash through the woods, running just to run. It was such a freeing sensation. 

Rhett smiled softly, shaking his head. “Nah, I think…I think I need to do this alone. Gotta get out of my head go back to my roots.” Roots, meaning his wolf nature. 

You nodded in understanding. “Okay.” You stole another kiss before you stepped back. “I love you. Go.”

He stepped outside, and you watched through the window as he quickly rid himself of his clothing, sprinting right off the porch and shifting midair, landing on four paws before he took off toward the tree line. You couldn’t help but smile fondly. Oh, how you loved him. 

He was so anxious about what was to come, but you weren’t, because had no doubt that he was made for this. 

While Rhett was on his run, and Amy had the kids occupied, you set to work preparing for that night. You set out an outfit for your husband. A royal blue shirt that brought out his eyes, and a pair of his nicest jeans. You would be given special ceremonial robes to wear during the event itself, so you weren’t too concerned with what would be worn beneath them, but you still wanted the both of you to look your best. 

As the sun began to sink lower in the sky, you could feel an electricity in the air. Of course, this was brought on by the approaching full moon, but it was something more than that. Rhett felt it too, and when he returned from his run, he was wired and filled with new energy. 

By that time, you and Amy had set about getting the kids ready for that night. Arya had gotten ready all by herself, which she proudly announced to Rhett when he walked in the door. 

“You look beautiful, little gal,” he said with a smile, lovingly running his knuckle against her soft cheek. 

“I wanted to dress up like Mama,” she told him, smoothing her hands over her dress, one that closely matched the one you were wearing. 

“You look just like her, too,” he mused. His sweet, beautiful little girl. The girl who made him a father. 

“She does, doesn’t she? Resemblance is uncanny,” Amy spoke up. 

She, too, had dressed up for the occasion, and had threaded her long blonde waves into a thick plait that ran down her back. She was teeming with excitement for the opportunity her uncle had been given. He had been with her through her most transformative years of life, stepping in when her father couldn’t, and she’d developed a deep bond with him. Now that she was grown, she still appreciated all that you and Rhett had done to give her a good life. She believed he deserved this honor and then some. 

And she told him as such. As Arya ran to see if her three younger siblings were ready, Amy caught Rhett at the foot of the steps leading up to your bedroom. 

“I’m proud of you, Uncle Rhett.”

Rhett smiled softly. “Thanks, Amygirl. Means a lot to me.”

She returned his smile and gave him a hug, which he gratefully received. When they parted, she said, “Thanks for everything you’ve done for me.”

“And I’d do it all over again if I had to.”

She nodded, her gaze soft. “I know you would.”

They shared a silent understand before Rhett finally headed upstairs, his heart warm from the interaction. He found you on the bed, getting your youngest into her little outfit. 

“Hey, ZoZo,” he greeted the tiny one, and she giggled in delight at the sight of her father, immediately reaching her little arms up. 

“Dada!” She exclaimed. Her vocabulary had just started to broaden, but she hadn’t yet graduated from calling him dada. And Rhett loved it. When his children called for him, whether it was ‘daddy’ or ‘dada’, it invoked deep emotion within him. Becoming a father was the best thing that had ever happened to him. 

“Mama’s got you lookin’ so pretty!” He hummed as he leaned down to take her into his arms. 

“Pretty!” She echoed in delight, clapping her chubby hands.  

As he snuggled his youngest against his chest, his gaze shifted to you. His mouth curled into a reverent smile, his deep blue eyes taking in your form. “Y’ look beautiful, Mama.”

Even after all these years, you still grew bashful when he complimented you. You rode from the bed, offering a loving peck to his lips. “Thank you, m’love.” And then, “I set out your clothes for you. Thought you’d look handsome in blue.”

He caught you, deepening what had been a light kiss. “Thank you.”

“Mhm,” you articulated. Then, you eased Zoella from his arms. “Better take this little one down to give her a little snack and let you get ready.”

“Okay. Be ready in a few,” he echoed as he handed off your daughter to you. He left a kiss on her head before he let you head back downstairs. 

It was time to finally ready himself for the ceremony. 

He hopped in the shower and scrubbed his skin clean, making sure to wash behind his ears like his mother had drilled into his head when he was a young boy. 

After a quick scrub down, he was hasty to dry off, and throw on his clothes. After his hair was combed down, cologne spritzed on his skin, and socks on his feet, he finally made his way back downstairs, where you and Amy were rounding the littles up to head out the door. 

“Okay! I need a picture of Daddy and the babies!” You exclaimed. “C’mon, gather round!” 

As Amy herded the children around him, you ran to grab your camera, and moments later, you’d snapped several pictures of this monumental moment, with intentions of placing it in a frame and displaying it in your home for years to come. 

“Can we go now?!” Arya asked impatiently. 

“We’re goin’!” Rhett replied. “C’mon tiny wolves, let’s get a move on.” He gathered Zoella in his arms, and then led all of you outside. 

Max and Leia held your hands, while Arya walked up ahead alongside Amy and her father. The place where the ceremony would be held was not a far walk. It was at a clearing in the woods, where the moonlight shined just so. 

Everything had been set up, and as you neared the clearing, you could see how whimsical it looked, and yet, it had an almost pagan feel to it. Fairy lights had been strung from the trees. Deer antlers, masks, and various items that had been passed down from ancestors. 

There was a bonfire going in the middle of the clearing. Adjacent, beneath an ancient weeping willow tree, was a pedestal with a pair of velvet robes placed upon it, and a wooden bowl filled with something you could not see, but would later find out was red paint, made from crushed rose petals and beetroot. 

Members of your pack had already begun to gather. The elders, along with Malakai were taking their places beneath the willow tree. 

As you neared the site, you shared a look with Rhett. 

“You ready?” You asked. 

He let out an unsteady sigh. “As I’ll ever be,” he murmured. 

You squeezed his hand. It was time. 

Amy retrieved Zoella from Rhett’s arms, and she guided the rest of your children over to a little area where other pups were already congregating. Knowing they were in good hands, you were able to move your focus to your husband, who was trying to steady his breathing. He looked like he was seconds away from spiraling. 

“Hey,” you said. You reached up, cupping his cheek, turning his face to you. Your fingers stroked his jaw. You placed your other hand on his chest, over his heart. “Breathe.”

He breathed in deep, his chest rising beneath your touch. Then he exhaled. Upon his second inhale, he focused in on the one and only scent that could ground him - you. That sweet, intoxicating scent that he loved. So familiar and comforting. 

The world seemed to fade out around him. It was just the two of you, sharing an intimate moment. 

“You’re okay.”

He was, wasn’t he? He’d be just fine. 

“I’m okay,” he repeated. 

You kissed him tenderly. It gave him clarity, and he parted from you feeling considerably calmer. He felt ready to take on the responsibility that lay ahead of him. 

He squared his shoulders and glanced around, taking in the sight of his pack members gathering ‘round in support of him. He saw his mother, standing proud, and he nodded at her, silently thanking her for being there for him. She placed her hand over her heart and mouthed I love you. 

And then, it was time. 

Malakai raised his hand. “Gather round, wolves!” He called out. 

Immediately, the group went silent, and everyone began to move toward the tree, but they left a center walkway clear for you and Rhett to walk down. 

A hush fell over the crowd. You grasped Rhett’s hand. 

“Tonight is a very special night. As I’m sure you’ve heard by now, I am surrendering my alpha status. This hasn’t been a decision I’ve taken lightly. I especially wanted to choose someone who was worthy of this position. Someone who will lead you valiantly. Someone who will love you. For me, it simply made sense to choose Rhett Abbott.”

A round of applause rippled through the group. Rhett felt his throat tighten as emotion washed over him. This amount of support was overwhelming for him. 

Malakai met his gaze. “Come forward.”

Hand in hand, the two of you walked toward the weeping willow, your heads held high. When you reached Malakai, he leaned in to kiss your cheeks, and then Rhett’s. 

Of the elders, Gwenevere and Matthias stepped forward, holding the ruby-red robes in their hands. Gwenevere placed yours upon your shoulders, while Matthias placed Rhett’s on his. That was the moment that it really began to set in for you. This was real. This was happening. 

Rhett couldn’t suppress the shiver that trailed down his spine as the velvet robe cascaded down his body. His heart quickened in his chest. His skin felt like it was alive with electricity, crackling and sparkling in a brilliant display.

The feeling was akin to the way he’d felt when he met you for the first time and realized you were his mate. Overwhelming, all-consuming, intense enough to drive him to his knees. But he remained standing tall, despite himself. 

“Rhett Abbott,” Malakai addressed him.

“Yes sir?”

“Do you pledge your undying loyalty to The Northeastern Wyoming Wolf Pack?”

Without hesitation, he answered. “I do.”

“Do you pledge to lead them benevolently?”

“I do.”

“And do you pledge to honor, protect, and defend them?”

“I do.”

Malakai nodded, satisfied with the answers he’d been given. He stepped toward the pedestal that stood nearby, his boots crunching against earth and dry leaves as he moved. Reaching out, he took the wooden bowl that had been placed there before the ceremony. 

“Kneel,” he commanded.

Rhett sank to his knees, humble before his pack. 

Malakai dipped his fingers into the bowl, gathering the homemade paint before he lifted his hand. With his pointer and middle fingers, he left deliberate trails of paint down Rhett’s cheeks. The red pigment symbolized the color of an alpha’s eyes. 

After the paint applied to Rhett’s ruddy cheeks, Malakai handed the bowl off to Nora, another elder. Then, he gazed upon Rhett, moving to lift his chin so he was looking up at him.

“You are the only wolf I trust to lead this pack in my stead. I am confident that you won’t let me down.”

“I won’t, sir,” Rhett assured him, his voice hoarse, emotion evident within its octaves.

Malakai then glanced at each elder. Gwenevere, Matthias, Leo, Nora, Sebastian. “It’s time,” he spoke to them.

They all gave him a nod of approval. 

Above the pack, the sun had finally sunk beneath the horizon, and the full moon was rising in the sky, its silvery light seeming to surround Rhett on purpose. You stared at him in awe, your eyes widening as you saw its pale beams glimmer against his hair, acting as a sort of halo. 

It was breathtaking. 

But the time to marvel was done, because Malakai stepped into the light, his shadow cast over Rhett’s kneeling form. The older wolf’s hands twitched at his sides, and his claws elongated from his fingertips.

Slowly, he raised his right hand. You watched as he placed that same hand against Rhett’s neck. He aligned his claws at the base, pressing them only slightly against his skin, preparing the younger wolf for what was about to happen.

Rhett locked eyes with Malakai. “I’m ready.”

All at once, the alpha sank his claws into the nape of Rhett’s neck. You flinched as he let out an agonized growl, his body going as tense as a taut rope while the pain blossomed within.

“Don’t fight it, young wolf,” Malakai commanded.

Rhett resisted the urge to pull away, but the pain was great and all-consuming, a burn that radiated throughout his neck and upper back. He groaned, huffing in labored breaths, as he realized his body was trying to shift. His jaw twitched as he tried to keep his fangs from lengthening from his gums. But it was no use. 

And then, seconds later, the pain he felt began to melt away. He never tore his gaze from Malakai’s. He watched as the alpha’s eyes glowed red as fiery embers, but then, he realized that red was fading away, slowly draining from his irises, replaced by a brilliant yellow.

You watched in amazement as the same ruby-red began to come to life in your mate’s eyes, dull at first, but growing ever brighter by the second. Your heart pounded in your chest, because you could feel it. That was the thing with mates, they could feel the other’s pain or distress. And you could feel it, but this was different.

This was…thrilling. It felt like you had just been struck by a bolt of lightning and splashed with a shock of cold water all at the same time. You gasped sharply, as did Rhett, and suddenly you felt more alive than you ever had in your life. So did he.

“It is done!” Gwenevere called out.

Seconds later, Malakai released Rhett, withdrawing his claws from the base of his neck. Rhett suddenly fell forward, catching himself as he put his hands out in front of him. The entire pack waited in dead silence, anticipation thrumming in the air like a magic spell.

And then, the alpha rose.

Slowly, Rhett moved, pushing himself up from the earth, and standing to his full height. Then he turned to face his pack, his eyes still gleaming red. A soft gasp went through the small crowd, followed by hushed murmurs.

And then, “Rhett Thomas Abbott, you are now the alpha of the Northeastern Wyoming Wolf Pack.”

Rhett let out a breath he didn’t know he’d been holding, and all at once, everything felt right. He felt whole, as if he had just fulfilled his very purpose in life. This was it. This was what he was meant for. 

And then, a display of reverence followed. 

Starting with Malakai, each and every member of the pack lowered themselves to their knees. Overwhelmed, you moved closer to Rhett, reaching for his hand, interlacing your fingers. The two of you stood there as your wolves knelt out of respect for their new alpha. The sight brought tears to your eyes. 

Your gaze shifted to Rhett, and you realized his eyes were glimmering with emotion, too. 

But the time for tears was over. So he threw his head back and let out a clear howl into the air. Everyone else followed, a chorus of wolf howls filling the woods, reverberating around you. It was an indescribable moment that you knew you would not soon forget. 

After that very special moment, a time of music and dancing followed. Old mountain melodies were sung, and you were inundated with pack members coming up to congratulate Rhett on his status, and pledge their loyalty to him as their alpha. 

And most important of all, your children came bounding up to their father, with little Leia launching herself into his arms, and Arya and Max laughing in delight as they secured themselves at his waist. 

Amy held a bouncing Zoella on her hip, who Rhett promptly reached for. Even as the littlest of the family, she seemed to know this was a time of celebration and joy, and she squealed when her daddy took her into his arms. 

And there he stood, an alpha, his wife and children surrounding him, and he felt as if he was on top of the world. He’d never dreamed that this would be his life, yet here he was, and he could hardly contain his wonder. 

“I did it,” he whispered to you, as you nuzzled close to him, joining him and the huddle of babies surrounding him. 

“You did it,” you echoed, unable to hide the joyous smile spread across your face. 

You were so proud, you could hardly contain yourself. 

That night, the celebration went on. You feasted and you danced and you sang and you laughed. You watched Rhett throughout the evening, and the only way you could describe him was radiant. He appeared to be glowing, just as he had when the moon touched its silvery fingers to his head when he stood beneath the weeping willow. Alpha status looked good on him. 

And then, came the best part of the night. For you and Rhett, at least. 

As the hours grew later, the pups needed to be rounded up and put to bed. Graciously, Amy assured you she would take care of them. 

“Keep on havin’ a good time,” she said. “I’ll get these kids settled at the house.”

“You sure?” You asked, fully prepared to do it yourself. 

“Course I’m sure! It’s nothing I can’t handle. Besides, you and Uncle Rhett deserve to celebrate some more. Wouldn’t want to take that away from you.”

“Alrighty then. Let me just kiss them all goodnight.”

Together, you and Rhett bid each of your children goodnight and sent them off with Amy. Other pups were being taken home as well, leaving just the adults left over. It was time for a full moon run, and because pups under ten years of age did not yet possess the ability to turn, they did not participate. 

As for the rest of you, you would shift into your wolves and run beneath the light of the moon, the night air rippling through your fur, free as a bird. It was exhilarating. 

And so, when the moon rose to its highest peak, another set of howls rippled through the group, and one by one, the transformation from human to wolf began. 

Rhett turned to you, his eyes bright with anticipation. “Ready?” He asked. 

You nodded. “Let’s go.”

You rid yourselves of your robes, followed by your clothing, and moments later, you were shifting. You into your wolf with its snow-white pelt, and Rhett into his wolf with its midnight black one. 

A rush of pure excitement rippled through you as you nuzzled your face against your mate’s fur. At Rhett’s signal, you took off into the woods, side by side. 

You ran like the wind, following your lover. You had mastered the art of communicating silently and through your senses. Every whine, every yip, every shift of the ears. You knew what the other was saying in an instant. 

And now, you knew that Rhett was leading you far away from the pack. In your heart, you knew why. You could feel it. It buzzed through your bloodstream like a crackling, surging current. A deep desire, an animalistic need. Your alpha was the only one that could fulfill it. 

And then, he stopped. And you did too. 

He turned to you, staring into your face for a moment before his eyes flashed red again. It struck you into a moment of submission, and you whined, lowering yourself to the ground and bowing your head. 

Then, Rhett shifted back into human, and you watched, still bowing at his feet, as he stood tall above you, naked as the day he was born. 

“Shift,” he simply said.

Seconds later, you had returned to your human form, remaining on your knees as he looked down at you. Your breathing was labored from your run, and it swirled in puffs of condensation around your head. Your heart was pounding in your chest. 

Rhett stepped forward, bare feet against cold earth. His expression was unreadable, yet he exuded power. Then, he reached his hand out, lovingly stroking your cold cheek before he brought his thumb up to trace the outline of your lips. You parted them and allowed the digit to press against your tongue. 

Something primal was ignited between you both that night. You could see it in Rhett’s eyes and feel it deep within your core. 

“What an obedient little wolf,” he murmured as you suckled on his thumb, moaning softly around it. “Been thinkin’ about you ever since the ceremony. Wonderin’ what it’d be like to fuck you as your alpha.”

Your moan turned into a whimper, and you pulled away from his finger to speak. “Want it,” you sighed. “Want you to fuck me.”

“Yeah?” His large hand closed around your jaw, holding your face in place. “I ain’t gon’ be gentle. Wanna mount you and take you hard.”

His words sent a thrum of arousal through you, to the point where it was almost painful. “Please.” 

Your eyes flickered down. God, his cock was already growing hard. It elicited a needy sound from you, a cross between a growl and a whine, wolfish and unbridled. 

Then he knelt in front of you, both hands holding your face. His eyes searched your own, just before he leaned in, lips crashing against yours. The kiss was deep, as if you were trying to commit the other to memory. Your hands came up to grasp at his shoulders, fingers digging into the skin. 

When you parted, you were breathless. Against your parted lips, Rhett’s tongue laved, delving into your mouth, letting you taste him. He was intoxicating. Not only did his scent overwhelm you, it consumed the air around you. During a rutting session, the scent of each mate would grow that much stronger to the other, creating a dizzying concoction that would send their hormones into overdrive. 

And that was what was happening at that very moment. You were growing high off of each other, as if you were one another’s own personal drug. 

Rhett moved to trail his nose down your jaw, nuzzling against your pulse point before he breathed in deep, inhaling your scent. Then, you felt his fangs, sharp against your soft skin. He growled low in his chest, and when he lifted his head, his eyes were glowing red again. 

“I’m goin’ to devour you, little wolf.”

You pressed your bare chest against his. “Do it.”

With a snarl, he threw his weight against yours, sending you tumbling to the forest floor as he pounced on top of you. However, his hand reflexively came up to the back of your head, so you wouldn’t hit it when you went down. 

You had squeezed your eyes shut in anticipation of the impact, and when you opened them, you found him hovering over you, gaze intense. He was looking at you like you were a little rabbit that he’d just caught in his greedy paws. 

He grabbed your wrists and pinned your hands above your head. “Stay,” he said. Obediently, you kept your arms where they were when he moved his hand. Then he leaned back to rest on his haunches, and you watched him, taking in the sight. 

He bit his lip, his eyes narrowing as he drank in your gorgeous form, spread out just for him. “S’pretty,” he hummed. “All for me.”

His hand flattened against your sternum before traveling downward. Down, down, down, until his palm was pressed over your mound, just above your cunt. But he didn’t dip his fingers inside. No, he instead shoved your legs apart and got down between them. You lifted your head to gaze down at him, only to find him nuzzling his face against your wetness, inhaling you. 

He nipped at your inner thigh, soothing the welt that was sure to follow with his tongue. “Smell good enough to eat.” His nose nudged at your clit, and you whimpered as he left a kiss there. “So good. So sweet.”

He trailed his tongue through your folds to tease you, but he found that you were already soaking wet. You had been from the moment you saw him assume alpha status in front of the pack. 

You didn’t want him to tease you. You wanted him to breed you. 

“Rhett,” you sighed. 

“I know,” he murmured. He left one more kiss to your needy pussy before he finally moved so that his face was hovering over yours again. He kissed you languidly, allowing you to taste yourself. 

When you parted, you reached down, with intentions of wrapping your hand around his cock, which was now fully hard and heavy with arousal. But he caught you. 

“Uh-uh, what’d I say?”

“To stay,” you whispered. 

“Be patient, I’ll give it all to ya,” he assured you, lifting your hand to place it back over your head. He kept his own hand enclosed around your wrists as he brought his left hand down to align himself with you. 

He slid his cock through your slick, pulling a breathless moan. You could feel your cunt pulse with need, so desperate to have him inside you. Your hips lifted of their own volition, trying to get him to slip past your entrance. 

Without warning, he gave a light cautionary slap to your pussy, and you yelped, jolting beneath him. “Fuckin’ impatient, girl,” he snapped. “I have half a mind to turn you over and fuck your ass instead, since your cunt’s so fuckin’ greedy.”

At that, you let out a frustrated mewl. “No! Stop teasin’ me.” Then, you gave him your best doe eyes. “I just want my alpha to fuck me.”

You saw it then. The shift in his eyes. There was a feral rumble that came from deep within his chest, and all at once, he let out a cross between a bark and a howl, his grip releasing from your wrists as he placed his hands at either side of your head. 

Without warning, and in one fluid motion, he thrust his hips forward, and all at once, your body was stretching to accommodate him, and you were crying out into the night air. 

He grabbed your face. “That what you wanted?” 

“Mhm!”

“What was that?” He punctuated his words with a sharp snap of his hips into yours. 

“YES!” You wailed. 

Again, he grabbed your face, mouth against yours, and he snarled. There was no warmup. He started off rough, and continued as such, driving into you with such force your body began to move away from his. 

“Fuckin’ stay.” Large hands grasped your hips, holding you in place. 

The pleasure was blinding, as if you’d been struck by a white-hot bolt of lightning. His command to keep your hands where they were be damned, you couldn’t help but let your arms come down to your sides, where you clawed at the earth, back arching off the ground. 

He didn’t chastise you. He was far too occupied with the feeling of your cunt tightening around him like a vice, inviting him deeper inside, where he was meant to be. 

He was quick to remove his hands from your hips, moving only to rest his forearms against the earth at either side of your head, bracing himself above you. You were surrounded by him. His warmth, his scent. It was all-encompassing. 

You wrapped your legs around his waist to pull him even closer, needing more. He kissed you, open-mouthed and breathless, swallowing your moans and sighs as he began rutting into you. 

He was so deep inside you already. You could feel every inch of him, thick and pulsing, balls heavy and aching and full against you. You couldn’t wait for him to fill you to the brim with his seed. 

He quickened his pace. Hard, heavy, deep thrusts that punched the very breath from your lungs. At some point your hands flew up to grasp at his shoulders, trailing down his back. As your body began to tremble with pleasure, you found it harder to control the animal within you, and your claws lengthened from your fingers, scratching at his flesh. 

His body jerked, and he grunted, snapping his fangs at you. But it wasn’t out of anger. The sharp sting of pain sent a delicious shiver down his spine. 

“Gon’ be the death of me, little wolf,” he groaned. 

But you couldn’t reply. You were already practically nonverbal, save for the uncontrolled squeaks and whimpers leaving your mouth. How was it possible to feel this good? There were tears welling in your eyes, sliding down the sides of your face as he repeatedly drove that thick cock into you. 

But Rhett wanted more. He wanted a position that fulfilled his primal needs. So he pulled out of you for a moment, shushing your cry of protest. 

“I’m givin’ it to ya’, puppy. Hold on.” He shoved your knees toward your chest, arranging you as if you were merely a doll he was posing. 

Then he straddled you, and you realized what he was doing. He’d put you into a mating press position, keen on finding a different angle to make both of you feel the most pleasure possible. 

You yelped as he slipped inside you again, bottoming out. At this angle he filled you all the more, if that was possible. It rendered you breathless as the tip of his cock kissed at the deepest part of you. 

“Rhett!” 

He didn’t waste time with the buildup. No, you were already drenched, so much so that there was an audible wet sound when he entered you. With your legs pressed up high, all you could do was lay there and take it. 

“So good f’me. Made to take my cock,” he grunted, bringing his hips down hard. He built a steady rhythm, faster and faster until he was all but pounding into you and you were nearly sobbing against the forest floor, consumed by him. 

It was rough and venereal and intense. You swore you were outside of your own body, experiencing this moment through your every sense. He was all you knew. Nothing else mattered. Not the cool earth beneath you. Not the full moon above you. No, he was the only thing that existed. Your mate. The keeper of your heart and soul. 

You didn’t bother to hide your ecstasy as he rutted into you. How could you? The sounds were escaping your throat involuntarily, pulled from its depths with each calculated movement. 

“S-so f—ah!—full!” You wailed. You swore you could feel him deeper than before, and that’s when you realized what was happening. 

Your eyes went wide as you felt the stretch. The expansion of his cock inside your walls. He was growing even bigger, and your body was taking it with ease, because that was what it was made to do.

As mates, your anatomy was naturally created to fit together. It was never a struggle to take every last inch of him, even when his cock grew within you. But oh, how overwhelming it was. 

You threw your head back, crying out, grasping for purchase at anything you could, which ended up being his strong forearms. Above you, his face was set in determination. Brow furrowed, jaw tense, brunette locks falling against his forehead. 

He was so big and strong and virile above you. With each growl and snarl he let out, the more your body trembled. The effect he had on you was unmatched. Dizzying, electrifying. 

The heat of molten desire began to crackle to life at the base of your spine. When he pressed his hips against you and nestled them deep, his pubic bone left just the right amount of pressure against your swollen button of thrumming nerves. 

And with each push and pull, your body became more responsive. Your cunt grew more slick around him, and you could feel the way your desire quite literally spurted around his cock. 

“Makin’ such a mess,” he breathlessly spoke. “Sweet lil pussy’s just squirtin’ all over me, honey, and I ain’t even made you come yet.” 

“C-can’t help it!” You cried out. 

He leaned in closer, hot and open mouth resting against yours, tongue smoothing against your kiss-swollen lower lip. “No, you can’t, can ya? The thought of your alpha fuckin’ you gets you so drippy, don’t it?”

Something white-hot flashed within you. An explosion of pleasure that turned you speechless. Your eyes filled with tears and your mouth fell open as you nodded dumbly up at him. 

He grinned, wolffish and wicked. “S’what I thought. Can’t even speak, it feels too good.” Another rough thrust of his hips sent you sobbing into the night air. 

He didn’t stop. He kept a hard, fast, steady rhythm, grunting and growling and snarling as he did. He mouthed at your throat, his fangs sharp, but never sinking into the skin, because even in moments like this, he still had incredible restraint with you. He’d be damned if he ever let himself lose control and hurt you. 

Just as he was going into a partial shift, with his eyes glowing and his fangs and claws elongated, so were you. You couldn’t contain it if you tried. You were wolves, mating in the most primal way, just as nature intended. 

Then he wrapped his hand around your throat. Squeezing just enough to make you lightheaded as he repeatedly drove his cock inside you. 

That’s when it hit you. 

You didn’t even realize how close you were. You were so preoccupied with the intensity of it all that it sneaked up on you. But when it did, it swallowed you whole. 

It felt as if you were free falling, suspended in air made of raw energy. Or maybe magic was the best word to describe it. It sparkled and crackled and washed over you from head to toe. 

You didn’t realize you were sobbing. You couldn’t hear yourself over the rush of blood in your ears. But hot tears had begun to flow down your face again, all while your body trembled fiercely beneath him. 

He hissed in surprise as your cunt began to clench around him, pulsing wildly as your orgasm tore through you. His forearms shook as he fought to hold himself upright, his breath growing labored. 

The sensation was so strong that you blacked out for a moment, and when you came to, you were staring into a hungry, ruby-red gaze. 

He’d stopped moving at some point, hips flush against yours, cock still nestled deep inside. He was exercising great restraint, allowing you a moment to come back to yourself. But you were still fluttering around him and he was moments away from losing his sanity, it felt like. 

In your hazy state, he suddenly seemed so much bigger above you. Imposing, in a way. But you weren’t frightened. Far from it. You’d never felt more protected. 

“I-I—” you tried to speak, but the words died in your throat, replaced by an involuntary sob. 

He softened. That furrowed brow relaxed. His eyes shifted back to a very human blue. “Shh,” he soothed. “I’ve got ya, little wolf.”

“N-no, I…” Why couldn’t you form sentences? Your brain felt like it had gone blank, filled with television static. 

His face contorted in concern. “Are y’ alright?” He nuzzled his nose against yours. 

“Yes,” you managed to say. 

“Then what, hm?” He was patient. He wouldn’t rush you into speaking if you weren’t ready. 

But you only had three words to say. “I lo…love you.”

“Oh, baby.” He kissed you again, so tender in contrast to how he’d been fucking you moments before. “I love you too. So much.”

Something shifted then. What had once been carnal and hedonic now melted into a moment of tenderness. Ever so carefully, he leaned back, and when you realized he was switching positions, you whimpered in pitiful protest. 

He soothed you by slipping his pointer and middle finger into your mouth, providing something to occupy your mouth so you wouldn’t spiral. “Hey, I’ve got’ya.”

Gently, he parted your thighs again, slotting himself between them. His arms encircled your upper body, and in one fluid movement, he lifted you, pressing you to his chest as he moved to rest on his haunches. You were straddling his lap then, chest pressed flush against his. His mouth hovering over your own, swallowing the yip you let out as he eased himself back inside you.

“R-Rhett…”

“I’m here.” One steady thrust upward. Then another. And another. 

A dreamy haze settled over you as your bodies began to move of one accord. You keened high in your throat, your arms coming up to wrap around Rhett’s broad shoulders, clutching him tightly, needing him close, needing every inch of his body against yours.

He held you lovingly as he eased in and out of your dripping core, bringing you quickly toward yet another release. All you could do was let him take you, his strong arms moving you up and down to meet each push of his hips. 

Your head lolled back, your body undulating against his. You were floating, drifting through time and space, on an entirely different plane of existence. There it was again, building, building, building. It wasn’t fiery or explosive. No, it felt like bubbles. Like your bloodstream had suddenly turned to fizzy champagne. 

It surged through you, flowing like the building tide, and this time, you knew it was coming. “I-I’m…!” You gasped into his open mouth, but you couldn’t speak.

“I know,” his voice was strained. “Me too. Let go.”

With a soft cry, you came apart again, head thrown back as your body was overcome. You didn’t remember crying out his name, but it echoed through the trees nonetheless. He kept moving even as you fell to pieces in his arms. He would put you back together again soon enough.

You went boneless in his grasp. With your face buried against his neck, you whimpered and sobbed quietly as he quickened his pace, chasing his own end. He murmured words of reassurance to you, but you couldn’t hear them over the white noise in your ears. 

His grip tightened on you, and his cock swelled within you again, all while he growled, squeezing his eyes shut as he neared that peak. 

“Gonna—ah!—gonna breed you again. Fill you up with another one of m’ pups.”

Please, you tried to utter, but you couldn’t form the word. You wanted it. Oh, how badly you wanted it. But he already knew. 

And then, it finally began to wash over him. Divine ecstasy that sizzled at the base of his spine. You felt it. The heat. The pulsing, the thrumming, filling you with spurt after spurt of his seed. And you took it all like his good little wolf. 

As he came down, you remained still in his arms, your chest heaving against his, your body exhausted but oh so satiated. You felt his hand at the back of your head, lovingly cradling you against his chest. The sound of his heart beginning to slow back down to its normal best calmed you. 

“Y’ still with me?” Came his gravelly question. 

“Mhm,” you sighed. 

He tipped your face up so you were looking at him, and he kissed you tenderly. “Did so good for me. Always take me so well.” Another kiss. 

“Love you,” you murmured. 

He nuzzled his nose against yours. “Love you too, little wolf.”

“C’n we stay here for a few more minutes?”

He smiled. “Yes we can.”

And you did. He remained there on the forest floor with you cuddled in his arms, just enjoying the closeness and the quiet intimacy. The afterglow was a time of bonding for the two of you, and you didn’t sacrifice one minute of that time. 

He lovingly caressed your skin, soothing you, anchoring you. It brought you back to yourself and replenished the energy you had expended during your tryst. 

Eventually, the spell was broken. “Think we should head back?” He asked. 

You sighed. “I suppose so.”

He kissed you again. “C’mon, I’ll carry ya.” The perks of having supernatural strength. 

You let him lift you into his arms, with your head tucked into the side of his neck. He carried you all the way home, and you felt so safe and at ease that you fell asleep in his arms along the way. 

When you woke, you were safe and warm in your bed, with your mate curled protectively around you, and you smiled to yourself. The events of the night before felt like a dream, but they were very much real. Your husband was an alpha now. And you had spent the night mating with him beneath the light of the full moon. How was your life even real?

Beside you, he stirred, a low, sleepy hum sounding from his chest. A faint smile tugged at his mouth as he pulled you to him. “G’mornin’.”

You hummed, snuggling in close. “Morning.”

He buried his face against your neck, inhaling your sweet scent. But he noticed something as he breathed in.

A large hand came down to rest over your belly. 

“It took,” he whispered. 

Your eyes widened. “What?”

His gaze locked with yours. “I told you I’d give you another pup, didn’t I? I can tell it took. Smell the same way you did after I put each of our babies inside ya.”

Your face broke into a grin, and you couldn’t help but laugh, placing your own hand over his. “Guess you really were serious about breeding me.”

His eyes narrowed. “Serious as a heart attack, honey. It’s my job to keep you full of pups, after all.”

“And you’ve done your job exceptionally well,” you teased as you kissed him. 

“Don’t I know it,” he replied goodnaturedly, bumping his nose against yours. 

You cherished that fleeting moment of bliss, basking in the joy that came from learning you would soon be inviting a new addition to your family. 

This same blissful, dreamlike feeling carried on into the days following Rhett’s achievement of alpha status. They were wonderful days. They were happy days. He assumed his role dutifully and made sure that his pack members knew that he was going to take care of them. 

They had no doubt he would, because Rhett Abbott always made good on his word. 

Four Months Later

Life had been good for you. Rhett was beginning to really settle into his position as leader of the Northeast Wyoming Pack, establishing his authority and benevolence. The wolves revered him. 

Your family was thriving. You had been slightly worried that Rhett taking on this responsibility would send things into upheaval for your children and their routine, but they had adapted beautifully. 

You had no doubt in your mind that this was always what Rhett had been meant to do. It was rooted in who he was as a wolf, an intrinsic ability to lead. 

And for those first four months, everything progressed as it should. 

But it wasn’t long before the sanctity of your pack, and everything Rhett had worked so hard for, was threatened. 

A story that had made national news. A group of rogue wolves had targeted The Montana Wolf Pack, killing several innocent members. According to local authorities, this group of wolves had tried to take control of the pack, and when their target had put up a fight, they killed several of its members in cold blood. 

The news of these killings hit close to home. This wasn’t an attack staged by hunters. This atrocity had been committed by wolves, members of your own kind. The ultimate betrayal. The National Werewolf League called for a day of mourning out of respect for the families affected by the unspeakable tragedy. 

Many wondered if this incident was an isolated one, or if other wolves would soon be targeted. Were more lives in danger? Would there be other uprisings across the states? Rogue groups bent on killing their own kind?

That remained to be seen. But it certainly put fear into the hearts of wolfpacks across the US. Yours especially, because Montana was just north of you. However, in the weeks following the attack on the Montana Pack, things remained quiet and uneventful. Life went on as normal.

Until one day, a visitor showed up on your property. 

It was a cold February day, and it had just snowed considerably the night before. School was canceled, so your children were outside playing in the snow with their cousins, having the time of their lives. Inside your cozy home, you were baking cookies while Amy had busied herself with making hot chocolate for the children to drink when they came inside. 

Zoella and Leia, who were still too little to play outside with their older siblings and cousins, were playing contentedly on the floor with little cloth dolls that Cecilia had made for them. The scent of baked goods, the crackling of the fire in the fireplace, and the sound of your little ones giggling on the floor, sent a comforting warmth through your chest. 

Rhett was upstairs, showering after he had spent the better half of the morning shoveling snow. It all felt so domestic. So human. Your happy, growing family, enjoying a snow day. But that joyous warmth would soon give way to sickly cold dread.

As you were lifting a tray of cookies out of the oven to cool, Amy noticed something. Her attention shifted to the window that overlooked your property, where the children were playing. Her eyes narrowed at the sight of a man approaching the children.

“Hey, come here,” she spoke up, waving you over. 

You left the tray of cookies on the counter and quickly stepped over toward where she was pointing. Sure enough, a tall man dressed in tattered clothes, had halted the children’s play to speak with them. Alarm bells went off in your head, and you immediately rushed to the door, prepared to run outside.

At that very moment, Rhett was coming down the stairs, and the first thing he picked up on was your scent. Not the sweet, nutty scent of cookies in the air. Not even your naturally occurring scent. He smelled the sharp sting of anxiety.

“What’s wrong?” He asked, already making his way toward you.

“There’s a man talking to the kids,” you explained.

His eyes widened, and in seconds, he was stooping to grab his boots and shove his feet into them before he threw open the front door. He jumped off the front porch, his gaze zeroed in on this stranger as Rhett quickly approached the children.

“Hey!” He called out, and the other man’s head snapped up. He was a wolf too, Rhett could tell by his scent. “Can I help you?” His tone wasn’t friendly. There was a warning edge to it. 

“Daddy, he was asking if we had any food to eat!” Arya informed him, her innocence palpable. She still had that childish gullibility.

But Rhett wasn’t gullible. His hackles were immediately raised because he could tell that something just wasn’t quite right. “Young’ns, go play,” he commanded in a tone that left no room for arguing. The children scattered, and then he turned to the man. “Any particular reason you’re botherin’ my kids?”

The stranger’s hands lifted in surrender. “Hey now, I wasn’t trying to cause any trouble. My name’s Kane Masters I’m just passin’ through. My truck broke down out on the main road. I can’t get it started, and I’ve got a mate and a baby to take care of. Could you help us, please?”

Rhett stared at him, his eyes narrowed. There was an unsettled feeling in his gut. This fucker was lying. “I’m sorry, but I can’t help you.”

“What?”

“You heard me. I don’t know what you’re tryin’ to pull, but it ain’t gonna work with me.”

Kane’s jaw tensed, and his eyes darkened. “Did you not hear what I said? I have a wife and baby! You can’t at least offer them shelter while I figure out how to get the truck fixed? They’re gonna freeze!”

Rhett’s eyes flashed red, asserting his dominance. “And I have a pack to protect. I ain’t lettin’ perfect strangers into my home. You’ll have to find someone else to help you.”

Kane growled, low in his throat. “You’ll regret this, wolf,” he snarled.

Rhett stepped forward, standing eye level with Kane. His sudden outburst of hostility raised a warning flag for Rhett. “Are you threatenin’ me?” 

“Maybe I am. Are you condemning my wife and child to freeze to death?”

The alpha rolled his eyes at the dramatics. “Get the fuck off my property before I drag you off it.”

Kane stared Rhett down, his chest heaving. But Rhett didn’t budge. He had a gut feeling that something was amiss, and he felt that he was putting his pack at risk if he allowed this wolf refuge in his home.

After one last threatening gnarl, Kane finally turned and stalked off, snow crunching beneath his feet. Rhett stood there and watched him go, remaining there until he was out of sight. 

Once he was sure that the other wolf had gone, he finally turned back toward the house, where he found you standing in the doorway, looking on in concern. 

“What did he want?” You asked as Rhett climbed the porch steps. 

“He said his truck stalled on the main road, and he was lookin’ for a place his mate and baby could stay while he got it fixed.” There was a hard look in his eyes. One you couldn’t read. 

“What is it, Rhett? Why did you turn him away?” You questioned.

His gaze shifted to yours. “Somethin’ just wasn’t right. Can’t put my finger on it. But if you see him comin’ around here again, you come get me. Okay?”

You nodded, not keen to argue with him. If he sensed danger, then you would trust his instinct. “Okay.”

He leaned in then, large hand resting over your belly, where your unborn pup rested safe and warm, protected from the dangers of the outside world.

Rhett’s lips lingered against your temple before he pulled back. “I’m gon’ round the pups up and bring ‘em inside. Guy kinda gave me the spooks.” It wasn’t that Rhett was scared of him. He was simply wary. 

He brought the kids inside, where they all gathered in the kitchen for hot chocolate and cookies, completely oblivious. 

Rhett kept an eye out the rest of the day, and warned a few pack members to be on the lookout for Kane, should he return. He knew better than to ignore his gut feeling. 

But after that specific incident, things were quiet. For the next week, at least. In that time, the weather had improved, and the roads were clear, which gave you the opportunity to take your family into town. The kids were excited to stop by Ruby’s Diner, a favorite local spot in Wabang. 

All was well. You enjoyed a wholesome day with your mate and your children, seemingly without a care in the world. Until, suddenly, a dark cloud began to loom over you. 

No, it wasn’t a cloud. It was a shadow. A wolf. 

Rhett had slipped away for a few minutes, with intentions of taking Arya, Max, and Leia into the local toy shop to get them a little something. 

Zoella had fallen asleep in her stroller, and after Rhett assured you he would choose a little trinket for her, too, while he was with the older children in the shop, you had opted to walk to the truck and get her situated for the ride home. 

Just as you’d gotten her buckled in, you felt a presence behind you. “Excuse me, miss?” A voice filled the air.

You tensed, slowly turning around to face the stranger. Sandy blonde hair and unsettling, stormy eyes. They appeared to be both blue and gray at the same time. Something about his stare made you shiver. “Yes?” You cautiously answered, making sure that Zoella was hidden safely behind you as you squared your shoulders.

“I’m looking for a place to stay. I couldn’t help but pick up on the fact that you’re a werewolf like I am. I’ve been a lone wolf for some time now and I need to find a pack. Would you be willing to welcome me into yours?” 

You stared at him in confusion. Demanding to join an established pack was simply not done. The only way another wolf would join a pack that was not his own was if the alpha invited him into the fold. 

Something wasn’t right. 

“I-I’m sorry, we aren’t looking to bring in any new pack members,” you told the stranger. 

His gaze darkened, and anxiety crept into your bones. 

Rhett sensed it, too. You were his mate, after all. Mates had the unique ability to sense when the other was in danger, with an intense emotional connection that ran deeper than any human connection ever could. 

In the middle of that toy store, he froze. A nauseating shock of dread washed over him. Something was dead wrong. Without hesitation, he swooped in and grabbed Max and Leia, lifting them into his arms. They giggled, because they thought it was a game. But it was not. 

Then, “Arya, we need to go.”

The seven-year-old turned, her brow furrowed in confusion. “But Daddy—”

“Now, baby.” His tone left no room for argument, and she closed her mouth, a sad look washing over her face. But she followed her father nonetheless, because she could sense his urgency, and thought it best to obey him in that moment. 

Quickly, he made a beeline out of that store, into the balmy February afternoon. Just ahead, he could see you standing beside the truck, nervously speaking to someone. Alarm bells went off in his head as he moved quickly, still holding his children, with Arya clutching at the fabric of his shirt to keep up with him. 

“Excuse me!” Rhett called out, trying to keep his tone steady, so as not to frighten his little ones. The stranger’s head snapped up, and his eyes narrowed at Rhett’s presence. 

At your husband’s arrival, you began to visibly relax, though you still remained on edge. When Rhett got to you, he was quick to hand Leia to your waiting arms, while he set Max down at your side. 

“Do you need somethin’?” He asked as he stepped in front of you, effectively shielding you and his children from the other wolf. 

“It’s all the same with you wolfpacks, isn’t it? Selfish fuckin’ pricks, turning away people in need.”

Rhett spoke over his shoulder at you. “Get in the truck,” came his command, and you immediately moved to coax the kids into the vehicle, soothing Arya when she expressed concern over what was about to happen. She was very observant, and she could sense that her father was preparing for a potential altercation. 

As he turned back toward the stranger, Rhett’s eyes narrowed. “You’re with Kane, aren’t you?”

“And what if I am?”

That’s when Rhett growled low in his throat, eyes flashing crimson. “I don’t know what you’re tryin’ to pull, but you need to stay the fuck away from my family, and from my pack. I catch you botherin’ my wife and pups again? I’ll fuckin’ kill you.”

Rhett Abbott did not make empty threats. And he did not resort to killing without cause. But if someone threatened the sanctity of his family, he would not hesitate to put them down. It was his duty to protect you and his pack. He did not take that duty lightly. 

His threat seemed to be enough to scare this stranger off, and he stalked away. Rhett stood there, watching until he disappeared. He was on edge. An odd feeling in his gut told him that this wouldn’t be the last time he saw Kane, and those associated with him. 

The ambush against The Montana Pack had happened only a few short weeks prior. Authorities still hadn’t caught those responsible for it. Rhett had a sinking feeling that his own pack was going to be the target of the next attack.

As soon as he was sure the danger had passed for the time being, he spun around on his heel and rushed to climb into the diver’s side, where he promptly turned the ignition over. You eyed him, reading his features. His jaw was hard-set, and his eyes had narrowed in that cat-like way they always did. 

“Rhett?” You spoke his name cautiously.

“Daddy, who was that man?” Max asked from the backseat. 

Rhett caught your eye for a moment before he focused on the road before him again. He was quiet for a moment, considering his response. “He’s someone who wants to hurt our pack,” he replied. “But I’m not gonna let him. Daddy’ll keep you safe, I promise.”

At his words, your heart sank. Rhett reached over the center console and placed his hand over your belly. You shook your head, because you knew what he was insinuating. “It’s them, isn’t it?” You whispered.

“We’ll talk about it at home,” he simply said. He didn’t want to upset the children.

The ride home was quiet. Rhett’s mind was going a mile a minute, the cogs turning as he came up with a plan of action. If an attack was going to be staged, the pack needed to be prepared. He would call a meeting to warn everyone.

And that was just what he did.

As soon as your children were deposited safely at home, with Amy keeping a watchful eye on them, Rhett arranged the meeting in the small conference building that had been built on the property a few months prior. It was nothing special, but it served its purpose as a designated meeting spot.

One member representing each family showed up for the meeting, all curious as to what their alpha had summoned them there for. The elders were also present, as they were required to be for such meetings. 

You stood by Rhett’s side, your hand intertwined with his, trying to mask the fear you felt. But it was written all over your face.

“I brought all of you here because there’s somethin’ you need to know. ‘Course, we all remember the massacre that happened to The Montana Pack last month.”

A few murmurs passed through the crowd. Hums of sadness in remembrance of what had happened. 

“They still haven’t found the wolves responsible for it, which means they’re still out there. I wish I could tell you that we’re all safe, but the truth is, we aren’t. I believe they’re gonna target us next.”

“How do you know this, Rhett?” Gwenevere spoke up.

He took a breath. You squeezed his hand. “Because I met them.”

This time, the murmur that went through the group was one of confusion and fear. The next to speak up was Malakai. “You spoke to them? And they told you they were coming after us?”

Rhett shook his head. “Last week, one of ‘em showed up in my yard, botherin’ my kids. Said his name was Kane. Some of you already know because I warned you that he was around your young’ns, too, because they were at my house that day. As soon as I talked to him I knew somethin’ was off. He gave me some bullshit story about his truck breakin’ down, and he wanted me to let his wife and pup stay at our house while he fixed it. I got the sense that he was lyin’ right through his teeth. I told him no. That pissed him off.”

He paused for a moment before he continued. 

“Then, today, we were in town, and a different guy showed up, claimin’ he was a lone wolf, lookin’ for a pack to be part of. And we all know no self-respectin’ wolf is just gonna come in demanding to be accepted into a pack. That ain’t how it works. Come to find out, he’s with Kane. I believe that they’ve been staking us out and they’re planning to come after us. I don’t know how many of them there are, but we need to be ready.”

“If they attack…this could mean war,” Matthias remarked. 

“I know,” Rhett grimly replied. “I don’t want to call it that, but for them to attack two packs in just a few short weeks…it means they won’t stop there. They’re just gon’ keep killing.”

“Alright, what’s the strategy we’re going to follow if they do attack us?” Malakai inquired. 

Rhett’s face was serious, his mouth etched into a frown. “First, we get all the pups to safety. If you can get ‘em here to this building without putting them at risk, do that. If you can’t, hide them in your basements, or whatever spot in your house is safest. Those of us strong enough to fight will be ready to intercept these wolves. I want a handful of you stationed in the woods, keeping an eye out. I’m not lettin’ them destroy our way of life. We won’t go down without a fight.”

Everyone was in agreement that they were not going to let these wolves take what was rightfully theirs. They would band together and defend their home and their loved ones. 

After that meeting was adjourned, everyone was on high alert, prepared for the worst. Ready to fight for their lives if need be. 

You were frightened. Not for yourself, but for your children. This was a real threat, and the mama wolf in you was prepared to do anything to protect your pups. But the thing was, Rhett didn’t want you involved in the battle. 

“If they come, I want you to stay with the pups,” he said, as you walked home that afternoon after the meeting. “Don’t want you out there fightin’.”

“But I have just as much a right to be out there defending our pack as anyone else,” you replied. “I don’t want to stand on the sidelines.”

Rhett stopped, turning to face you. “Listen to me. I know you’re capable of holdin’ your own in a fight. I don’t doubt it. But I can’t lose you.” His hand came to rest protectively over your abdomen. “I can’t lose either of you. I almost lost you and Arya seven years ago. I’m not goin’ through again, you hear me?”

You went quiet, nodding at his words. Those memories were vivid. The day the Tillersons had abducted you. You’d pleaded with them to let you go. You’d tried to reason with them by informing them you were pregnant, hoping Patricia would ease up on her cruelty. But she’d accused you of lying, claiming you were just trying to make her feel sorry for you. 

Reminders of that moment in time we’re difficult to process. But now, it helped you better understand why Rhett didn’t want you involved in the conflict. 

“Okay,” you whispered. “I’ll stay with the pups. But Rhett…you watch yourself out there, alright? As much as you can’t lose me, I can’t lose you, either.”

He reached a big gentle hand up to cup your cheek. “You won’t lose me.”

Don’t make promises you can’t keep. 

His lips found yours in a gentle but impassioned kiss, and then he led you back to the house, where Amy was occupied with entertaining the children. You were so thankful for her and her willingness to help with the littles. She was your saving grace in time of crisis. 

You were much too exhausted to prepare a balanced dinner that night, and you didn’t want to put any more responsibility on Amy, so chicken nuggets and stovetop mac and cheese were the meal. 

Wanting to keep some semblance of normal, so as not to alarm the children, you ate together as a family. Rhett held your hand beneath the table, his thumb rubbing comforting circles on your wrist. It did little to quell the anxiety bubbling within you. 

That night, you put the kids to bed early. Rhett kissed them all goodnight, and once they were tucked in, he left you with a lingering kiss and informed you he was going out to check on the wolves stationed on watch that night. 

You curled up on the couch beneath a blanket because you didn’t want to sleep in your big, empty bed without your mate, and because you wanted to be ready if things should go haywire. 

But that night was quiet. Nothing out of the ordinary took place, and early in the morning, just before sunrise, Rhett returned home. 

His presence jolted you awake, and as you sat up, you noticed that there was snow in his hair, and on his coat. When you sleepily glanced out the window, you realized it was snowing heavily again. It looked like another storm was rolling in. 

“What happened?” You quietly asked as he shrugged out of his coat. 

He shook his head. “Nothin’. It was quiet out there all night. No sign of anyone.”

“Do you think maybe they’ll just leave us alone?” You continued, as you sauntered toward him, where he was unlacing his boots. 

He sighed, and when he looked at you, his brow was furrowed in a frown. “I don’t think so. I just have a gut feelin’ that they’re gonna come for us.”

It was your turn to sigh, and you stepped forward, reaching up to wrap your arms around his neck. “Well, let’s get you warmed up in the meantime. And put some food in ya. You aren’t going to be any good in a fight if you’re starving and half-frozen.”

You then took his hand and led him to the kitchen, where you had him sit at the table while you set about preparing a pot of coffee, and making him some oatmeal, something that would stick to his ribs and warm him up. 

Ten minutes later he was tucking into his breakfast and sipping on a cup of black coffee, while you sat beside him at the table. You moved so that your legs were resting in his lap. He placed his free hand lovingly over your knee. 

“Want you to know I’ll do everythin’ I can to protect you and the pups. I pledged myself to this pack, but you come first. Always.”

“I know,” you whispered as you leaned in to kiss his cheek, which was flushed from the cold. He turned his head to catch your lips with his own. 

“I love you, little wolf.”

“I love you too.”

Little did either of you know that that morning would be your last morning of peace for a long time.

As your children woke up one by one, they happily clambered into the kitchen to greet the two of you. Leia climbed into Rhett’s lap, her favorite blanket clutched in her little hand as she snuggled into his chest. Arya took her opportunity to occupy his knee, crowding his lap and giggling as he teased her that she was going to squish her little sister. 

You went to wake little Zoella from her slumber, and soon, the kitchen was filled with the chatters of children and the smell of breakfast cooking and extra coffee brewing. And for a short time, everything felt normal.

Until a frantic knocking on the front door sucked the joyful spirit out of the air. Immediately, Rhett’s eyes locked with yours, and you were struck with fear. Quickly, he stood from his seat, carefully depositing Leia into the chair before he made his way to the door.

He hurriedly shoved his feet into his boots before he wrenched the door open, revealing a frantic Gideon standing on the doorstep. He was another member of your pack, one of the younger ones. 

“They caught someone trespassing in the woods!”

Rhett tensed, and glanced over Gideon’s shoulder, where he could see Malakai, and a few others, dragging none other than Kane Masters through the snow. In an instant, Rhett turned to you. “Take the pups up to our room and hide them in the bathroom,” he simply said. Then he kissed you, and left you standing there in the entryway as he dashed outside to meet the group. 

You stood there, frozen, watching him go. And then, as if something had struck you into action, you whirled around to hurry back to the kitchen. “What’s going on?” Amy asked, where she stood in the middle of the kitchen, a stack of breakfast plates in hand, ready to be washed. 

“We need to get the kids upstairs. Now. We’re in danger.”

Her large blue eyes widened all the more, and she set the plates down on the counter without a moment of hesitation, already moving to grab Zoella from her highchair. “Come on, we’re going up to Mama and Daddy’s room!” You announced, trying your best to keep your voice calm.

“What’s wrong, Mama?” Arya asked. 

“We just need to get upstairs, I’ll explain up there.” You guided her, Max, and Leia toward the steps, urging them to go quickie. Leia began to cry. So did Zoella. They knew something was wrong. Especially when you herded them into the bathroom. 

“Mama! Mama! Why are we hiding?!” Max cried, his little face full of fear.

“Listen to me, babies,” you spoke in your best calm voice. “Daddy wants us to stay in here for a little bit, alright? We can pretend it’s a game of hide and seek. But this time, we’re hiding from some other wolves who want to hurt us. But I won’t let that happen, alright? You’re safe in here, with me and Amy.”

As you got the children settled, you finally looked at your aforementioned niece. “Stay in here with them, and lock the door. I’m going to go get some blankets and things to keep them occupied.”

“Okay,” she replied, her face etched with fright. She was nearly nineteen years old, but in that moment, she looked as if she was nine again, nothing more than a scared little girl.

You reached out, wrapping her up in a hug. “We’re gonna be okay, Ames.”

Then, you slipped out of the room to gather the supplies you would need. Blankets, coloring books, snacks, your laptop so that you could put on a movie for them to act as a distraction. 

But out of the corner of your eye, you could see movement out the front window of the house. Your attention shifted to what was taking place outside, as the snow drifted about and the wind began to howl. 

You could see Rhett standing not far from the front of the house, speaking to the same man who’d shown up on your property days before. It gave you pause, and you inched closer to the window, tuning in to your supernatural hearing abilities to figure out what they were saying. 

Out in the cold, Rhett was unwavering. He’d instructed the wolves holding Kane to release him, so that they could talk face to face. Everyone around them remained on edge. But Rhett didn’t not go on the defensive quite yet. 

“What are you tryin’ to do here, Kane? Tryin’ to take my pack from me? Because that ain’t gonna happen.”

Kane scoffed. “You really think you’re so untouchable? Alphas are always so fuckin’ sure of themselves. We’re here to prove that they’re no better than the rest of us. That they’re not as indestructible as they think they are.”

“Who’s ‘we’?” Rhett asked, his glance shifting to the tree line. He could sense something in the air, even as snow and wind swirled around him. 

“You know that pack in Montana?”

He knew where this was going. “I do. That was you, wasn’t it?”

Kane had the audacity to smile. “I wish I could take all the credit. I had help. Lots of help. And they’re gonna help me take down your pack one by one.”

“Like hell y’ are!” Rhett snarled, eyes flashing red. 

“You don’t scare me, alpha!” Kane’s own eyes flashed, but in a surprising revelation, they were not yellow, or even red. They were ice blue. 

Blue eyes in a wolf meant they had taken an innocent life. 

At the sight of them, the group surrounding Kane was immediately on high alert. “You think you’re starting a fuckin’ revolution? You’re dead wrong. You can’t build it on the innocent lives you took!” Rhett exclaimed, his chest heaving. 

“Oh yeah? Watch me. My revolution’s already started. So what if there are a few casualties along the way? As long as we eradicate the alpha order, that’s all that matters.”

“How the fuck do you plan to do that?”

“Like this.”

Kane lifted his head and howled. Seconds later, a line of wolves appeared along the tree line. This diversion distracted the pack members surrounding Rhett and Kane.

“Go,” Rhett commanded his wolves, and they took off toward the tree line. But the second they ran toward the danger, Kane was lunging. 

It happened so fast. Quick as lightning. A dagger was unsheathed from its hiding place beneath his coat. Rhett saw it, enhanced reflexes kicking in as he dodged the blade. But it sliced into his flannel and grazed his ribs. Nothing serious. It would heal within a moment. 

Meanwhile, as you stood watching from the window, you gasped, and out of instinct you lurched forward, yanking open the door and launching yourself down the porch steps. As soon as your slippered feet hit the snowy ground, you broke into a run, legs moving of their own volition. Somehow, you knew what was coming. It was a gut feeling, so strong it nearly brought you to your knees. 

Time slowed. You couldn’t reach him fast enough. 

Rhett was fine. Until, suddenly, an odd feeling began to wash over him. A sensation that sent a wave of sizzling warmth through his body. He tried to sidestep Kane’s next swing, but he grew unsteady on his feet, his senses suddenly dulled. 

lt was too late. Kane drove that dagger forward and plunged it straight into Rhett’s abdomen. 

Werewolves had the ability to heal from wounds. Depending on the severity of the injury, healing time could range from five minutes, to a few hours. It was common for werewolves to bounce back quickly from knife or even bullet wounds. 

By all accounts, Rhett should have been fine. The dagger plunged into him should have had little effect on him. 

But something was wrong. 

In the diversion caused by Kane’s wolves surrounding the compound, he had been able to move swiftly. No one expected him to brandish a dagger, because wolves didn’t fight with weapons. Combat was fought in wolf form. Using weapons was simply playing dirty. 

Malakai was the only one who remained close enough to hear Rhett’s pained growl. Immediately, he turned, acting on instinct as he broke into a run toward his alpha, ready to fulfill his duty to protect him, but it was too late. 

In the split second that Kane was close to him, Rhett locked eyes with him, gasping sharply as his assailant drove the dagger even further into his body. “Let this be known as the fall of The Pack of Abbott.”

Rhett weakly reached up, trying to wrench Kane’s hand off of the dagger so that he could remove the weapon from his body, but he was shocked to find that his physical strength was beginning to fade. He looked down at his hand and saw that it was trembling. He couldn’t grasp anything.

As Rhett came to this terrible realization, Malakai snarled, and within seconds, he was lunging. Shifting into his wolf form, he leapt into the air, one-hundred-forty-five pounds of muscle and sinew and fur, and tackled Kane to the ground. It was as if Kane had been expecting this. He made no move to shift into his own wolf. No move to defend himself. It was like he wanted Malakai to kill him. Like he wanted to die for his cause, as his wolves wreaked havoc around him.

And then, a scream sliced through the air. 

It came from you. Guttural and raw. A cry of your mate’s name. “Rhett!”

Something is wrong. Something is wrong. Something is wrong. 

Gasping sharply, Rhett managed to wrap his weakened fingers around the handle of the dagger and ease the blade out of his abdomen, dropping the weapon to the frozen earth. It left a crimson stain in the pure white snow. Slowly, he turned to you. He was already beginning to sink to the ground. 

“I-I told you to st-stay with the pups,” he gritted out, but you couldn’t hear him over the howl of the wind and the snarling of wolves all around you. 

You reached him, holding your arms out to catch him before he fell. His hand was placed over his abdomen, where blood was beginning to seep through his fingers.

“Rhett! Hey, we need to get you inside!”

“I can’t…I can’t.”

“What are you talking about?! Yes you can, come on!” 

But he was dead weight, and his knees hit the ground. “No!” You cried. Struggling, you managed to pull him upright. Your strength was enhanced because of your wolf abilities, but even so, he was heavy, and dragging him up to the house proved difficult. 

And then, Malakai was by your side, back in his human form. He was drenched in blood. You were too preoccupied to glance just beyond him, where Kane lay dead in a pool of blood. In fact, you barely noticed the wolves fighting around you, barking and snarling, clawing and tearing.

All that mattered was Rhett.

“I’ve got him, let’s get him the house.” Malakai carried Rhett up to the house, with you trailing after him, hot on his heels. As soon as you were enclosed in the safety of your home, you pushed the door shut, locking it behind you. 

“Where do you want me to take him?!” Malakai called over his shoulder.

“Up to our bedroom!” You replied. 

You raced up the steps after him, and watched as he carefully laid Rhett on the bed. In just those few minutes it took to get him inside, he had gone white as a ghost. Your heart sank in your chest. 

Something is wrong. Something is wrong. Something is wrong. 

“I’m going to get Doctor Tenpenny,” Malakai spoke. “That blade must’ve been laced with something.”

“Be careful!” You called after him. You knew that a battle had begun. 

Then, you rushed to Rhett’s side. “I’m here,” you assured him, lovingly squeezing his shoulder. “I’m right here, baby.” 

His teeth were chattering, and his eyes were squeezed shut, a reaction from the pain he was in. 

Your shaking hands moved to unbutton his torn flannel, carefully pulling the fabric aside so you could take a look at the damage. You gasped softly at the sight of the wound. It bled crimson, but there was a discoloration around it. That blade had definitely been laced. 

His skin was cool to the touch, and it sent a pang of terror through you. Tuning your ears in to his heartbeat, you could hear that it had begun to slow. 

“Oh, God,” you whimpered. “Don’t you dare die on me, Rhett! Hold on a little longer for the doctor to get here!”

At that moment, the bathroom door came open. Amy had heard the commotion, and she made sure the kids were settled before she moved to see what was happening. 

“What’s going on?” She asked, as she closed the door behind her. She saw Rhett on the bed, and she gasped softly as she rushed to you. “What did they do to him?”

“Oh, Ames,” you cried, turning and immediately wrapping your arms around her as tears began to stream down your cheeks. “He stabbed him with a poisoned blade!”

Amy’s face paled. “Did you call for the doctor?”

“Malakai is getting her. But I…I don’t know if he can hold on that long.” You released her, moving to Rhett’s beside again. You reached for his hand, squeezing it tight. 

He was so cold. 

With your free hand, you reached up to brush his hair away from his forehead. His eyes fluttered open, only to fall shut again as he moaned softly in pain. 

“Hurts,” he whispered, as if speaking any louder would cause him more physical pain. 

“I know. I’m so sorry. Just hold on for me, okay?”

“What should I do with the kids?” Amy asked, uncertain. 

“I don’t…I don’t know,” you replied. You didn’t want them to see him like this. But there was an ache in your chest, and an intense feeling of dread. He was slipping away, you could tell. Whatever poison had been on that dagger was going to kill him.

What if he was gone before the pack doctor arrived? What if the children didn’t get a chance to say goodbye? Your hand came up to cover your mouth as you muffled a broken sob. How quickly things had changed. One moment, your family was talking and laughing around the breakfast table, and the next, the love of your life was fighting to stay alive, as your children watched a movie in the bathroom, unaware that their father was in such dire straits. 

“Just tell me what you want me to do, and I’ll do it,” Amy continued, reaching out to place her hand on your shoulder. 

But you couldn’t. You bent forward, your face buried in your hands as you let out a wail of agony, fingers tugging at the roots of your hair. This wasn’t happening. This couldn’t be. Yet here you stood, in the middle of a cold, hard reality.

So you took a deep breath and squared your shoulders, hastily wiping your tears away. Your brief moment of emotional turmoil had passed, because you had no choice but to let it. You had little ones to be strong for. They needed you. 

It was almost as if you shut off that scared, stricken part of yourself for that moment. Moving without hesitation, you grabbed the blaket that you kept at the end of the bed, pulling it over him, up to his shoulders, so that his wound wasn’t visible. Then, you turned on your heel, making a beeline for the bathroom, where you quietly opened the door and stepped inside.

There, you found your children huddled beneath a blanket, engrossed in the movie that was playing on your laptop. “Pups, I need you to listen to Mama for a minute,” you quietly spoke, reaching out to pause the movie. 

Zoella, who’d been snuggled in Arya’s lap, immediately reached for you, whining softly. You soothed her, lifting the one-year-old into your arms before you knelt down in front of the remaining three, trying to choose your next words carefully. “Your daddy got hurt just now, and it’s made him very sick. I want all of you to see him, but you have to be very gentle, alright? We can’t jump on top of him on the bed, we can’t even climb into his lap. But I want you to come and see him for a minute.”

“Is it a big boo-boo or a little one?” Young Leia asked, her eyes wide with concern.

“It’s a big boo-boo,” you softly replied. 

“Is the doctor gonna come and feel him better?” She continued to question. 

Despite yourself, you managed to smile softly at her mixup of words, though your heart was breaking in two. “She’s going to try, baby,” you whispered. Then you rose to stand. “Now come on, I want you to follow me.”

You took a deep breath to steady yourself before you cautiously led your children out into the bedroom, where Amy had taken a seat on the edge of the bed. She was clutching Rhett’s hand. 

You had the littles gather beside him. It was Arya who spoke first. “Daddy?” She whispered, her voice shaking. 

Rhett’s head moved slightly toward her, and he managed to open his eyes. He tried to plaster a weak smile across his face, but he couldn’t. “Hey, little pup,” he murmured, though it took great labor to do so. 

Arya began to cry, and she turned, burying her face against your belly. “Shh,” you soothed her. 

Your eyes drifted to Rhett’s face, and you saw an anguish you’d never seen before. Seeing his family in pain, and inadvertently being the cause of that pain, was more than he could bear. 

“Hey, let’s give Daddy a hug, alright?” You suggested, gently guiding Arya away from you and toward the bed. 

She wrapped her arms around her father’s neck, resting her forehead against his. Her tears dripped down onto his face, but you could see that they weren’t all hers. They were mingling with his own tears.

“Are you going to be okay, Daddy?” Arya asked. 

“I…I don’t know,” he honestly replied. 

Immediately, she turned back to you, weeping all over again. Rhett squeezed his eyes shut, his bottom lip quivering. You noticed sweat on his brow. His skin had somehow grown paler. 

But you wanted each child to get a chance to hug him, so you pushed your fear aside and encouraged Max to give him a hug, and then little Leia. Finally, you leaned down with Zoella in your arms and said “give Daddy a kiss, Zozo,” and she happily kissed him on the cheek, because she’d always loved giving kisses, even when she was a small baby. 

There, in those fleeting moments, Rhett was surrounded by those he cherished most. And he knew, that if he was going to succumb to his injury, he would go peacefully, knowing that he was loved. 

But that peace was soon interrupted by the sound of Malakai returning with Doctor Tenpenny. The tender moment was forgotten as the pair came rushing up the stairs in a hurry. The abruptness of it all sent the children into a bit of a frenzy. Zoella and Leia began to cry. Max and Arya huddled close to you, frightened. 

In a split second, you had to decide what to do. Their panic was only going to worsen the situation, and possibly put Rhett into distress. Thinking fast, you quickly guided them to the stairs, waving Amy over as you did. 

“Look at me,” you spoke to the young woman, and she lifted her fearful blue eyes to yours. 

“Let’s get them downstairs, it’s better if they’re safely out of the way. Are you okay to stay with them in Arya’s room? Or do you think you want me to stay with you?” You could see how upset she was. You didn’t want to overwhelm her. 

“No, I-I can handle it. I’ll keep them safe inside and I’ll put the dresser in front of the door, just in case anyone tries to come in.”

You reached out to squeeze her hand. “Okay. Let’s go.”

Together, you guided the children downstairs, where you led them safely to Arya’s room. As soon as you had them all settled on the bed, you knelt to speak to them. “I need you to be brave for me, okay? I know you’re scared. It’s okay to be scared. But right now, I need to go upstairs and be with Daddy. Stay with Amy, she’ll keep you safe. Alright?”

“Mama, don’t leave,” Arya whimpered. 

You took her sweet face in your hands. “I’m not leaving. I’ll just be right upstairs. Be my brave girl, okay?”

“O-okay,” she whispered in reply. 

You kissed the top of each of their heads before you finally slipped away, rushing to pull the door shut behind you before you dashed back upstairs. 

There, you found Rose Tenpenny hovering over Rhett, carefully examining his wound. Malakai had left as quickly as he’d come, because he had to get back outside to defend the pack. That left just you and the doctor in the room. 

Quietly, you moved to stand at Rose’s side, and she paused to glance up at you. Her expression was grim, and it made your heart sink like a stone in your chest. “He’s in a bad way,” she told you. “Just from the way the wound looks, I can tell that dagger was laced with wolfsbane.”

A gasp tore from your throat, and your hand came up to cover your mouth in shock. “Oh my god,” you whispered. 

Wolfsbane was poison to wolves. Poison of the deadliest kind. Surviving its effects was unheard of. 

“It’s already in his bloodstream. It doesn’t take long for it to set in,” she explained. 

You held back a sob, the hand over your mouth lowering to rest against your belly, where your unborn pup lay. You had only one thought. “He’s going to die, isn’t he?”

The doctor’s mouth pressed into a thin line. Her eyes, deep brown and ever sympathetic, filled with tears. She could not sugarcoat her diagnosis. 

“I can give him some ancient herbal medicines that will help slow its effects, and ease his pain. But I’m afraid that all I can do right now is make him comfortable. I’m sorry.”

Your tearful eyes flickered to Rhett’s sickly form. His eyes were closed. His breathing was shallow. He was getting worse by the minute, and your world was falling apart. Your shoulders shook as another set of sobs wracked your body, painful and deep. 

You were losing him. And there was nothing you could do to stop it. 

To be continued…

-

taglist:

@bradshawsbitch @laracrofted @sebsxphia @milesmillergf @rhettabbotts @hangmanapologist @withahappyrefrain @damrlova @just-in-case-iloveyou @theliterarybeldam @nobody7102 @agentorange9595 @powerlvr25 @mygyn @yanna-banana @whisperofsong @kmc1989 @peachystenbrough @callsign-magnolia @briseisgone @up-thereinthesky

[wintersoldierslover]

my fic recs masterlist

---

Bucky Barnes:

all bucky barnes

headcanon  -  blurb  -  one-shot  -  series

dbf!bucky  -  brothers bff  -  bff’s brother

neighbour  -  housewife reader

lumberjack  -  firefighter  -  bodyguard

priest bucky  -  college

football player  -  hockey player  -  boxer

professor  -  teacher  -  librarian/bookshop

coffee shop  -  soulmate  -  royal

other AUs  -  taboo

---

Stranger Things characters:

all eddie munson - all steve harrington

eddie and steve (x reader)

billy hargrove - jason carver - mike wheeler

dmitri enzo antonov - jim hopper

robin buckley - nancy wheeler

---

Outer Banks Characters:

all Rafe Cameron

all JJ Maybank

Rafe Cameron and JJ Maybank (x reader)

Pope Heyward - Topper Thorton

John B. - Sarah Cameron

Kiara Carrera

---

Marvel characters:

Wanda Maximoff  -   Kate Bishop

Natasha Romanoff  -  Yelena Belova

Peter Parker  -  Pietro Maximoff

Steve Rogers  -  Stephen Strange

Frank Castle  -  Matt Murdock 

Moon knight  -  Steven Grant

Joaqín Torres - Clint Barton

Loki Laufeyson - Druig

Eddie Brock - Miles Morales

Miguel O’hara - Hobie Brown

---

Harry Potter characters:

Sirius Black - Remus Lupin 

James Potter - Poly!Marauders

Lily potter -  Cedric Diggory

George Weasley - Fred Weasley

Severus Snape - Tom Riddle

Draco Malfoy

---

Avatar (James Cameron) charachters:

neteyam - aonung - lo’ak

rotxo - kiri - spider

jake sully - neytiri - tsu’tey

tonowari - ronal - colonel quaritch

---

Top Gun chracters:

Fanboy  -  Hangman  -  Rooster - Bob

Iceman

---

Wednesday characters:

Xavier Thorpe - Ajax Petropolus

Wednesday Addams - Divina

---

Bridgerton characters:

Anthony Bridgerton -  Benedict Bridgerton

Colin Bridgerton

---

Criminal Minds characters:

Spencer Reid  -  Aaron Hotchner

Derek Morgan

---

The Last of Us characters:

Joel Miller - Ellie Williams

Abby Anderson

---

The Devil All The Time characters:

Tommy Matson - Lee Bodecker

---

Uncharted characters:

Nate Drake - Sam Drake

---

Euphoria characters:

Elliot (Euphoria) - Fezco

---

On My Block characters:

Mario Martinez - Oscar Diaz

---

Modern Family characters:

Luke Dunphy - Alex Dunphy

---

Ted Lasso:

Roy Kent - Jamie Tartt

---

NHL players:

Matthew Ktachuk - Trevor Zegras

Nolan Patrick - Tyler Seguin

---

Actors:

Sebastian Stan - Joseph Quinn

Jamie Campbell Bower - Danny Ramirez

Drew Starkey - Rudy Pankow

Ben Hardy - Bella Ramsey

Jenna Ortega

---

Miscellaneous characters:

Eli ‘Hawk’ Moskowitz  -   Marcus Baker

Rodrick Heffley -  Hunter Sylvester

Lloyd Hansen - Ari Levinson

Nick Fowler -  Tangerine

Rhett Abbott - Hayden ‘Harvard Hottie’

Colin (Not Okay) -   Min Ho (Xo, Kitty)

Ash (No Exit) -  James Maguire (Derby Girls)

Jake Peralta - Nick Miller  - Brian O’conner

Anakin Skywalker - Bruno Madrigal

Tadashi Hamada - Kakashi Hatake

---

Miscellaneous real people:

Billie Eilish - AEW Hook

---

*Updated whenever there’s a new character <3

[sorchathered]

Don’t take the girl

Pairing- Rhett Abbott x reader

Summary- the after effects of Perry and Royal killing the Tillerson boys brings more trouble and heartache into Rhett’s life, can he keep what he holds most dear or will he lose it all?

Warnings- language, violence, mentions of death, smut.

A/N- I meant to put this out months ago but never did, hopefully y’all like it! It’s a rewrite of one of my first fics and I still don’t know if I like it but I’m putting it out into the tumblr-verse anyway lol.

————————————————————————

“I called my firm in Cheyenne, and they said they could get my position back for me by the end of next week, I-I think it’s the best option right now.”

Rhett reels back from you like he’s been slapped, furiously shaking his head eyes full of venom.

“Don’t you get tired of it? Constantly running from your problems?”

You give him an incredulous look, clearly he’s not going to let this go quietly like you’d (foolishly) hoped.

“I’m not running! It’s self preservation Rhett! For both of us! We can’t just dilute ourselves into thinking we could weld ourselves back together, we’re completely different people now and I love you- God I love you more than anything and always will-“

“Don’t, you don’t get to use that on me when clearly you and I have different ideas of what love is.” He looks absolutely disgusted now, you can barely stand to look at him, it brings tears to your eyes to even think you’re hurting him again.

“That’s not fair and you know it-“

“Not fair?! You wanna know how many girls I’ve slept with since you?”

“Don’t” you reply weakly

“At least a hundred, maybe more I don’t even see their faces anymore Y/N. I haven’t had a single relationship that lasted more than a month since you left, I can’t even try to make it work. I got with Maria trying to feel something, anything but I couldn’t get serious, she knew I’d never be over you and I hate that she was right. Because when I’m fucking some buckle bunny or one night stand you’re the only face I see. You came home and it was like a sign, I could get my second chance and get my shit together, be the man you deserved. But there’s something broken in you, you can’t just let me love you.” He looks into your teary eyes and shakes his head, “I refuse to be the reason we fell apart. You turn your back on me now and that’s it darlin’ don’t ever think I’ll let you in again.”

He turns on his heel and slams your front door, rattling the windows with the force of it. You want more than anything to run after him, beg him to listen but you know he’s right. You are scared; Perry and Amy were missing, Trevor and Billy were dead and Rhett had barely made it out unscathed. The Tillerson’s were still circling like vultures, Perry had admitted to murdering Trevor before he disappeared but they wanted retribution and they’d take a pound of Abbott flesh to settle the score. Dropping to your knees in your family’s home you sobbed, you knew you’d fucked up again but you didn’t know any other way but to save yourself when things got tough.

You and Rhett had fallen in love overnight it seemed, your mother’s had been attached at the hip all your lives and to say the two of you tolerated each other was an overstatement. Junior prom seemed to change everything, he asked Maria and she turned him down cold, and your boyfriend dumped you the week before so of course your parents suggested you go together. Rhett couldn’t think of anything more painful in his life, but he knew better than to question Cece so off he trudged in his suit jacket, wranglers and best pair of boots to pick you up. When you crossed the threshold it was like he’d never seen you before in his life, you’d always been one of the boys to him but in your baby blue dress and hair all curled he swore you were the most beautiful girl he’d ever laid eyes on. You had been inseparable from that night on, always holding hands and stealing kisses; Perry attempting to take the piss out of you at every opportunity but it never phased you.

When you’d been accepted to college in another state Rhett felt like his whole world collapsed. You both promised you’d make it work and stay together but the distance became too much and before you knew it 6 years had passed between you. You’d seen each other in passing over holidays but he was jaded from the heartbreak and you knew better than to push him. Your mother had passed at the beginning of the year and you made the trek back to Wabang to settle her affairs, but ended up getting a job with the local law firm and before you knew it months had passed and you’d fully integrated yourself back into the community.

Stepping into the pit bar that summer night had changed everything, he’d been drinking with his buddies and you had let an old high school girlfriend convince you that drinks and line dancing were the cure for your melancholy. Some guy got a little too handsy, Rhett came out of nowhere and knocked him on his ass and just like that the two of you were making out like teenagers in the front of his old pickup. You’d picked right back up where you left off, and then everything went to shit that fateful fall night when Perry took Trevor’s life.

Rhett was seething as he drove back to the ranch, he felt like his skin was on fire and couldn’t stop the tears from spilling as he violently shook. How was he supposed to go without you again? He’d been patched up with tape and glue for years, just trying to make a name for himself in the pbr circuit and drowning his sorrows in beer and pussy. He’d become a shell of who he was without you, a version of himself he hated. You’d come back into his life and for once he had hope for a future outside of just surviving. He knew you were scared but damnit so was he! His family was unraveling at the seams and he couldn’t do anything to stop the onslaught of troubles that ravaged everything he held dear. He slammed the truck to a stop, tears blinding his eyes as he began to hyperventilate, sobs wracking his body and he let it all wash over him. Didn’t know how long he’d sat there until he was startled by his phone ringing, pulling himself together to see who the hell needed him this late at night.

“Rhett! Rhett please- I need you to listen-“

You sobbed into the phone, something was wrong; you hadn’t been the number on the screen when he answered, and he heard a thud and a scream from you on the line as someone else took over the call.

“Looks like we’ve got ourselves a dilemma Abbott, both my brothers are dead and there’s no one to pay the price for the sins your family committed. So it looks like your sweetheart will have to do.” Luke Tillerson laughs darkly as he drags you out to his truck by your hair, Rhett can hear your sobs through the phone and he nearly blacks out from the anger coursing through him.

“Luke if you hurt her-“

“Aht Aht let’s not make empty threats Rhett, you know I hold all the cards right now. You want to see her alive? Trade yourself for her, you’ve got twenty minutes.” The line goes dead and the phone lights up again with a text. With shaking hands Rhett opens the message, blood splattered across your beautiful face as you lay slumped in the bed of Luke’s truck. Coordinates for a location and a countdown pop up next, and Rhett has to wrench the door of the cab open to throw up. He unlocks his phone again and dials Sheriff Joy, he doesn’t know how to fix this but he’ll give himself up, let Luke torture him until his last breath if it means keeping you safe.

Against the sheriff and his father’s wishes Rhett is speeding down the highway, gps taking him towards the location Luke sent him. His shotgun that normally lay under the bench seat of his truck was in his lap now, knowing he would do what was needed if it meant keeping you alive; even if that meant Wayne Tillerson would bury all three sons in the span of a month.

Joy had begged him to wait for them to get there first, but he knew at the first sign of police presence Luke would do something drastic and he couldn’t take that risk. He shut off his headlights as he turned into the drive near the tiny shack the directions had led him to, putting the truck in park a couple hundred feet away. He still had a good ten minutes to spare maybe if he could get the upper hand he could subdue Luke and get you both out of this unscathed.

Creeping up towards the old building he could see a light and hear voices, as he peered into the window he found Luke pacing the floor with you tied to a chair. Bruises were blooming across your cheekbone and your nose was bloody, tears pouring from your eyes as you begged him to let you go. You catch movement in the window, his eyes meeting yours in that moment you know you need to create a diversion if you want to keep the both of you alive.

“Luke you don’t have to do this, you know Rhett isn’t responsible for what happened! You can still walk away from this, I won’t press charges and we can let this go.”

He cocks his head to the side, appraising you, something dark behind his eyes that causes a shiver to run down your spine. He shoves himself off the rickety table he was perched on, kneels down in front of you and places his hands on either side of your duct taped calves.

“Oh y/n you sweet little thing. I’m not blind you know, I’ve noticed you over the years; you grew up to be quite the woman. Accomplished lawyer, definitely more than just a pretty face and it kind of makes me wonder why the hell you’ve been wasting your time on Rhett. He’s small time darlin’, never gonna be anything more than a glorified ranch hand, constantly chasing after his daddy’s approval. Tsk tsk if your parents could see you now, all the time and money they wasted to get you out of this piece of shit town and here you are repeating your mistakes all over again.”

He’s taunting you, just looking for a fight; any excuse to take out some of the aggression that has sat under the surface as his whole world fell apart. You could give him what he wanted, go head to head and maybe keep him distracted while the clock runs out, but really you would just be prolonging the inevitable. He wanted someone to pay for what had been done to him, and you knew he’d get it. So you looked at him with the sweetest smile you could muster and spit directly into his face. While he was distracted you pushed your chair forward to land on top of him, hoping to disarm him as the gun slides across the floor. He lets out a shriek, hauling you back up by the hair just as Rhett quietly steps through the door behind him. Luke raises his open palm to strike you and as he does Rhett slams the butt of his shotgun against the back of Luke’s head, rendering him unconscious. He steps over his body as he rushes for you, your body shaking as he looks you over, making sure all your injuries are superficial.

“Baby girl look at me, you’re ok y/n. Don’t panic, this isn’t over yet.” He leans down to kiss you and you nod frantically, you know he needs to subdue Luke before he comes to and tries to attack again. Tucking the pistol Luke was carrying into his waistband he hauls his unconscious body off the floor and begins taping his arms and legs together. Flashing lights and sirens fill the quiet and you let out a sob, everything is going to be ok, you two are finally safe.

After nearly an hour of questioning and prodding from the paramedics you are finally free to go, gently placed in Rhett’s truck and tucked inside his arm as he drives you back home. Luke had been arrested, no bail was set and a protective order would be put in place to keep the two of you safe from what was left of the Tillerson family.

You’d let Rhett carry you inside and up the stairs to your room with no complaint, normally you’d fuss at him for babying you but after the events of the night you needed him close.

As he began to remove your shoes you were overcome with emotion, tangling your right hand in his hair and letting out a sob. He startled at the outburst, surging forward to pull you back into his arms, cradling you in his lap and he tried to calm your tears.

“It’s alright sug, just let it out baby I’m right here I got ya.” He was pressing kisses to the side of your head and you didn’t know what was coming over you as you quickly grasped his face and slotted your lips against his. You needed him to be closer, shivering in his arms as you began to yank at his clothes, trying to curl yourself in on him. He tried to pull back to make sure you were really up for what you were asking but you wouldn’t let him, rubbing your clothed core along his ridiculous gaudy belt buckle and sucking his tongue. Giving in to you was as easy as breathing, if he was honest he needed this as much as you the fear of losing you had shaken him to his foundation, if he could convince you to stay he’d make sure you got everything you dreamed of.

Finally stripped bare you lowered yourself onto him, tears still silently spilling from your eyes as you kissed him, the thought that you’d almost given this up mere hours ago was unimaginable. He let you take the lead, grinding down on him and letting his pubic bone catch your clit with each thrust, head thrown back in pleasure as he sucked marks all over your chest. It was pure need thrumming through you both as you cried out and reached your orgasm, whispered I love yous against each others skin while he let you ride it out. Flipping you on to your back he began to chase his own release, wrapping his rough hand around your throat and pulling you into a passionate kiss, he groaned deep into your mouth and came inside you, the heat flooding your abdomen bringing another climax of your own as you both collapsed to the floor a tangle of sweaty limbs.

You must’ve fallen asleep like that because you woke to the sun peering through your window still tangled up in Rhett’s warm embrace on the bedroom rug. You nuzzled into his neck and pressed kisses to his jaw as you felt him stir beside you.

“Wake up sleepy head, need to get us both cleaned up and fed” you cooed at him and he grinned underneath his arm, laugh rumbling through his chest and against yours at the realization that you two hadn’t even made it to bed. He let you haul him up and drag him to the shower, what should have been an innocent soaping up of bodies became a heated affair with you pressed against the shower wall as he fucked you hard until you both were spent and starving.

He knew you still had a lot to talk about, what had happened before your abduction still wasn’t resolved but he didn’t press it, content to just spend the day wrapped up in you. Cece had called you both over a dozen times, full of worry after Royal had come home to tell her what happened. You rang her after breakfast and promised everyone was ok, agreeing to come have dinner later in the week after you’d rested. You knew you’d have to field questions from most everyone in town in the aftermath but you couldn’t bring yourself to reply to any texts or messages on social media; just the thought made you nauseous all over again, memory of the feeling of Luke’s hands brutalizing you making you drop the mug in your hands shattering on the ground and making you jump.

Rhett was there in an instant to help you clean it up, making sure you didn’t hurt yourself and tossing the remnants in the trash. You looked up at him letting out another sob, since when had you become such an emotional wreck?! You couldn’t seem to keep it together as you began to apologize over and over, Rhett scooping you up into his arms and placing you on the counter to hug you close.

“Hey, hey none of that ok? You didn’t do anything wrong, you knew this shit would happen and tried to make a clean break; goddamnit I should have let you then I could have kept you safe from all of this.” He felt wretched, he’d blown you off when you said the Tillerson’s would look for revenge and then been forced to watch as you were nearly taken from him as a result of his family’s sins. You shook your head violently now, trying to force the words out because if he blamed himself for one more minute you may explode.

“I shouldn’t have tried to leave Rhett! If I hadn’t run you off last night Luke would have never been able to take me, and we wouldn’t have gone through all this!” You wailed and stuttered as you tried to continue, needing him to understand what had been consuming your thoughts all day. “I don’t ever want to be without you again, I was so scared he’d hurt you or me and we’d never get a future together. You deserve everything baby, I promise I won’t ever leave again just please don’t blame yourself for this anymore.” He couldn’t stop the tears now, didn’t know where yours began and his ended but he pressed himself to you and poured all the love he had into kissing you.

————————————————————————

*1 year later*

Rhett was exhausted. He’d finished up last years circuit in first place, made the finals and won those as well, catching the eye of scouts who signed him immediately for a professional team. Since then he’d been touring and riding in competitions, in and out of hotels but always on the run to get back to you. The season was finally over and he was bone tired, but he drove all night to make it home to your little homestead in Cheyenne in the wee hours of the morning. Moving out of Wabang had been a breath of fresh air, the two of you were thriving in your careers and had bought a small farm on the outskirts of the capital city, a new start just what you both had needed. He trudged up the steps now, quietly trying to enter your house not wanting to wake you so early. But as he entered the living space he saw the bedroom light on and heard soft cries flowing down the hall. There in the warm glow of your shared bedroom was his beautiful wife and 1 month old baby girl, you were singing softly to her as you rocked her in your chair, attempting to soothe the little one back to sleep. His heart swelled at the view, drinking both of you in as he leaned in the doorway, completely enamored.

You looked up at him, sensing his presence from his gaze and cooed down at the baby in your arms. “Look what we have here my sweet little angel, daddy is finally home.”

He crossed the room to gather you both in his embrace, he’d gotten everything he ever wanted.

————————————————————————

Tagging- @attapullman @bobgasm @sebsxphia

[sweetlittlegingy]

Burning House

♤ Previous Chapter | Next Chapter | Blue Jeans Masterlist

♤ Pairing: Rhett Abbott x Y/n "Tilly" Tillerson

♤ Word Count: 6.3K

♤ Warnings: Smut 18+, family fighting, reader gets hit (not by Rhett), angst, fluff

♤ A/n: I haven't written smut in years, so let me know. Also, I'm 30 minutes late, but this week has been a lot. Also, you are responsible for your own content consumption. This is an 18+ fic, please respect that.

♤ Library | Main Masterlist

The shatter of glass pulls you from your thoughts, a reminder of where you were. Thrown once again into the fire. Tugging your jeans the rest of the way up, you button the brass button. The tank top you’re wearing sticks to you like a second skin, in the hot Wyoming weather.

Yanking it off you grab an old Coors shirt, slipping it over you frame, before reaching down to tug on your boots. Mud flicks off on to the carpet, making you roll your eyes, you’d have to clean it before your mother saw.

You hadn’t been home in almost four years, leaving Wabang in the dust when you got accepted to Montana State to pursue a degree in business.

Montana had been your number one choice in schools for two reasons; it was out of state away from family, and it was still close enough that Rhett could drive down. It’d been at least 8 months since you’d last seen him, to say you were wound tight was an understatement.

The harsh reality of your father getting sick and you having to come home was thrown into your face, not even a week ago. Your mother made it quite clear, that whether you wanted to or not, you would be coming home with her.

Growing up as the youngest Tillerson, and a girl at that, hadn’t been an easy feat. The constant reminder that you would never fully be in control of your life, not while being a part of this family at least.

Luke and Billy were fine, as fine as they could be. Luke was so far up your mother’s ass, that you were surprised he could even function when she wasn’t around. While Billy was completely brainwashed by your father.

Though you would have happily dealt with them over your father and Trevor. Those two had tempers and matched against your own; the state of your life had been on fire for as long as you could remember.

The three of your tempers flaring at every incident, ended in more fist fights than you could remember, and the list of broken items was never ending. Fuel was just added to the fire when your mom was home, having all four of you in the same room always ended with Sheriff Joy, coming out on calls of domestic disturbances.

A quick look in the mirror, you double-check your makeup and hair and decide that you're more than hot enough to make a surprise appearance at the Handsome Gambler. Another crash has you looking back at your door, silently wondering what the hell was wrong now. Pulling open your bedroom door, you can hear the yelling voices of Luke and Trevor. Forgoing your hat for the night, you make your way to the den.

There was only one hat that you be wearing tonight, come hell or high water it would be yours.

Both voices raise, nearly scream, when suddenly a third voice cuts through causing you to pause your descent down the stairs.

“What she wants doesn’t matter, damn it.” A rough cough rises from your father’s chest, “She doesn’t even know what the hell’s going on, if you two idiots could keep your voice down.”

You mind races, trying to think of anything they could be talking about. Though you come up blank, having been gone you hadn’t worried about your father and brothers.

What in the hell could be so important that they needed to keep it from you? Staying on the stairs, out of sight you wait for them to go on.

“She’s gonna find out, I’m surprised Rhett hasn’t already told her. Abbott doesn’t know how to keep his fucking mouth shut.” You’d known that was Luke, his voice not rough like your fathers and Trevor’s. 

Though you couldn’t figure out why in the world they were talking about you and Rhett. It had been years since they’d seen the two of you together and there was no way they knew the two of you were still a thing.

The two of you grew up together, best friends since you were children. You knew every part of each other, sharing your deepest secrets, and eventually an unbreakable love. Puberty had hit the both of you like a fright train, leading to you two fucking in every pasture between his and your house. Fucking; eventually turned into more, friends falling in love hard and fast.

You’d officially been together three years when you graduated, though your story tale came to a sudden halt when you received your acceptance letter. With you moving and Rhett actively pursuing bull riding, the both of you had decided to end your relationship.

The both of you left it on good terms, and Rhett still came up to Bozeman, the six-hour drive nothing compared to trips he made on the circuit. You hadn’t told Rhett that you were coming home, the spur of the moment decision made by your mother prevented it, but you knew he’d be out tonight.

No longer giving a shit if they saw you, you make your way down the stairs. Their talking cutting off completely when you came into view, your brothers and father staring holes into your head as you push through the den into the kitchen.

“Don’t stop talking on my account.” The snap in your voice is evident.

The four sets of eyes following your every move, still not talking, as you dig around in the key jar.

“What are you doing?” It’s Trevor that speaks up first, his tone already pissy.

“What’s it look like?” You throw him a look over your shoulder, your gaze condensing in every way. His gaze back is still questioning, and you wonder if he truly is an idiot.

“I’m getting the fucking keys Trevor.”

A smile graces your face as you find the set to your father’s new pickup, the one he hadn’t been able to drive since he’d gotten sick. You raise your hand in triumph showing them, and silently waiting for the pushback.

“Where do you think that you're going?” This time it’s Luke that questions you, his tone less sharp not wanting to set off your temper.

Luke had learned over the years what buttons not to push, while Trevor knew exactly which one to push. It was like he thrived off the idea of making you mad, to see just how much you’d blow up.

“I’m not going to just sit around; I don’t really feel like listening to ya’ll fight. Mom might have forced me back, but she didn’t say I had to stay on the ranch.” Your eyebrow slightly raises “I’m going for a drink.”

Before you can turn to leave, a harsh, forced laugh falls from Trevor’s lips.

“When did you turn into such a fucking bitch? Saying that mom forced you here, like this ranch isn’t the thing that’s given you everything.”

Your jaw ached from how tightly you’d clenched it, all of them just staring at you. No words to defend you, you hadn’t expected it, but it would have been a nice surprise.

Trevor might have been right about your childhood. Getting everything you wanted, it wasn’t like you asked for it, it was just there. The exact way it was for each of your brothers, the only difference is that you left, and when you left so did daddy’s money.

Sure, you could have asked, begged, but you didn’t need it. You maintained a job with a company up in Bozeman, that paid you more than enough to live and the thought to being debited to this place, was enough for you to live on a smaller means.

“Unlike you Trevor, I no longer live off Daddy’s money. Though since I’m being forced to stay here, I will be taking liberties. The first on being, using the damn pickup.” The rattle you made with the keys, finally setting him off.

You’d said the wrong thing before, but the fire in Trevor’s eyes hadn’t been one you’d personally seen. Before you can make a move for the door, he was on you, the whip of your head and crack of the back of his hand on your face echoing through the kitchen.

Silent rage, you couldn’t feel the pain. The heaving of your chest should have been notion enough that you were pissed. It’s not till you feel the blood running down your lip, that you realize he’d done damage.

Sure, Trevor and your father had hurt you before, but it had been a long time since they had struck you on the face. You raise your hand up, still clutching the keys and brush your fingers over you lip. The blood smears as you do, feeling an evident spilt and swelling.

No one moves, Trevor stands just in front of you, while the other three don’t do so much as comment.

The harsh laugh that falls from your lips, should scare them. You never wanted to see a pissed off woman laugh, that was common sense, but to see a pissed off Tillerson woman laughing.

They should have been running.

Acting on pure instinct your fist reals back, flying at Trevor before anyone can react. The resounding crack of his nose brings you joy, his figure doubling over sightly. Your fist already rising back, ready to maim him. You’d seen bright red and you didn’t want to stop, not when he was the one doubled over in pain.

It’s only the feeling of Luke wrapping his arms around your waist, and dragging you back from Trevor that makes you stop.

“Calm down, damn it.” It’s your father that yells, the four of your gazes snapping directly to him.

Your lips curl back in disgust, of course it wasn’t an issue if you were the one bleeding. Oh, but if anyone touches poor Trevor, the fucking world was ending.

You scoff, shaking Luke off and double check that you still have your keys. Grabbing your purse, that had fallen, you move to leave, leaning into Trevor as he tries to stop the bleeding.

Your voice as sharp as a knife, “I’m not little anymore Trev. You touch me again, and I’ll kill you.”

Pushing past him ,you brush off your shirt noticing that drops of blood had collected on it. Cursing you brother once again, you head out the door, only offering Billy a goodbye.

Walking to the truck, you can’t stop the smirk that rises on your lips. You were ready to get absolutely hammered and fall into Rhett’s bed in a tangle of limbs.

Not caring that it’s your father’s truck, or that it was in fact brand new, you peel out the drive gravel flying. Your fingers beat along the steering wheel, music blasting and windows down.

Flicking down the visor you silently thank your father, you didn’t smoke normally, but occasionally you’d light one up. Flipping open the box of Marlboro’s, you slip one between your lips. Grabbing the lighter in the cup holder, the sweet relief the nicotine gives you instantly calms your jittery limbs.

The cigarette only just brushes against the left side of your bottom lip and has you wincing, the pain finally setting in. You’d need a stiff drink to take that edge off, the glowing neon sign of the Handsome Gambler a welcomed sight.

You’d checked your lip in the mirror, grimacing slightly at the swelling and taking a wet napkin to your chin, removing the dried blood. The music can be heard before you even make it to the door, upon opening it, it increases ten-folds. Rumbling through your body and instantly soothing you. The red glowing neon of the bar was a tad obnoxious but wasn’t unbearable.

The click of your boots draw eyes to you instantly, though the only set you're looking for sits at the end of the bar. Leaning over a glass of whiskey, unfazed by his surroundings.

You don’t take time to acknowledged anyone else, your sights set and your feet carrying you without another thought in the world.

He doesn’t notice you leaning on the bar next to him, surely overthinking his last ride, and it isn’t until you grab the hat off his head that you get his attention. You’re sure that bar goes silent as the hat settles on your head, a familiar piece; one you’ve worn on many occasions.

Your hand is reaching for his whiskey before he can even comprehend that it’s you. Shooting the drink back, you rest the glass once again between his fingers and let your eyes finally meet his.

Wonder and questioning cross his face. His eyes going to your lip and your positive you see a flash of rage, before his eyes move to the hat on your head and a smug smirk settles on his lips.

“You know there’s a certain rule about stealing a cowboys hat Tilly?”

His nickname for you falling from his lip, nearly has you melting into a puddle on the ground, but you hold strong.

A hum and a nod of your head is the only recognition you given him, before moving to him. His legs opening for you like muscle memory, and your arms lacing around his neck. Your mouth resting just inches from his ear, your breath hot against him.

“And I fully intend on cashing in on those rules tonight, Abbott.”

The way his grip tightens on your waist has your toes curling in anticipation, the burning in your core igniting now that Rhett’s within your hold. Your eyes meet his and your breath catches, the blue of his eyes no longer visible. His pupils blown, watching your every move, and full of want.

It’s his hand that comes up and knocks the brim of his hat up, his eyes taking in the way your lips part as tiny soft pants fall from them.

Every time, it was like this. Like no time had passed since the last time your trembling form was under him. The way that your body became putty in his hands would have been annoying, if you didn’t like it so damn much.

No, those hands and his mouth were a God sent you were sure, or maybe hell sent. Given the way they could have you trembling like a leaf and Rhett’s name falling from your lips like a prayer.

Your lip slips between your teeth, gently biting it, not caring any longer about the cut. Your stare is unwavering, neither of you paying mind to the bar surrounding you and you can’t deny the way your body craves him.

The whiskey you shot earlier didn’t come close to warming you up like he did, as his hands leave a trail of flames in their wake gently rub up your sides.

“You that needy, you have to come down here to me? Nobody work you over like me, hmm Tilly.”

You know he’ll question you later, want to know the full story. But it’s the fact that he knows just what you need to hear, the need to forget all the shit, that has you wanting to crawl up into his lap.

“No baby, I came cause I heard you needed me.”

Your hands slip into the hair at the base of his neck, lightly scratching and he can’t hide the shiver that slips up the base of his spine.

“Heard none of the bunnies could take you like I can. They're just too breakable for you.”

The tension has the both of you leaning in closer to each other, waiting for the other one to beg. You can feel Rhett’s breath hot against your lips, just barley touching, though not nearly like how you’re craving him. The need to have him flush against you, making your legs shake as tears run down your face.

Rhett caves just barely, his tongue slipping out and licking at your bottom lip. Swiping over the cut, a stinging jolt of pain and need courses through your veins. The moan that erupts from your chest, makes him smirk and pull you closer to him.  Your thigh barley nudging the front of his pants, his cock hard and pulsing against the thick denim.

Glancing down, the imprint against his jeans has your core clenching and a tiny whine coming from your throat. A chuckle falls his lips, his hand coming to rest on your cheek, brushing your hair behind your ear.

“You that needy, girl?”

Your head is nodding before you can even think to stop it. The need to be owned by Rhett, out-weighting your usually independent nature. He knew it, he always did. It was one of his favorite things about you; how you were a spitfire to anyone else, but when he pushed just right, you’d be on your knees.

The closeness in proximity to each other, leaves no room for outside interference.

You hadn’t seen her coming back from the bathroom, in her barley there shorts, and trashy boots. Though the whiny voice stating Rhett’s name pulls your gaze to the girl standing next to you.

Rhett’s vision never leaves your face, waiting to see how you’d react. He always loved to see you get territorial, and had a habit of forgetting to tell you about other girls hitting on him at the bar.

Your eyes rack up her form, your head tilling to the side as you take in her appearance. Looking back the Rhett, you see him shrug his shoulders, silently telling you to handle it.

Turning to her, the smile dropping from your face, “He’s got his hands full bunny.”

The hands once on your waist, slip down to grab your ass. Giving it a harsh squeeze, that has your legs clenching.

“I already claimed him for the night.” Her tone bitter, acting like she has made some miraculous point.

Your jaw ticks at her stupidity and the fact that she thinks that she has some claim over him.

The only person that had a claim over Rhett Abbott was you, and it always would be you.

Turning to full face her, Rhett’s hands settling on your hips, hands sneaking under your shirt.

“No bunny, you didn’t.” The tone of your voice is sharp and you’re sure the once loud bar has gone silent.

“For one, he’s a person, not an object, and “claims” can’t be made over him.” You take a step closer to her, your gaze unwavering. “Though if anyone has a claim over him, it’s me and this damn hat proves it.”

The flick of your finger against the hat, has her eyes rising to the hat resting on your head. Her eyes find yours again, and you can see the gears trying to turn in her head. Just as her mouth opens to say something; you’re quick to shut her up.

“I think you’d better leave bunny, unless you wanna find out just how I got the split lip.”

Her eyes flicker to your lip then back to your eyes, fire burning behind your gaze, and you watch as she realizes how serious you are. Her face falling and a slight fear crosses her eyes before she’s turning and walking away.

You turn back around to Rhett, a smug smirk resting on his lip. A new hunger burns in his eyes as he watches you and his hands slide back down to grab your ass.

“You put a claim on me girl?”

“I’ve had a claim on you, since that first time you fucked me behind the church.”

You can see the memory flashing through his mind, and before you realize it, he’s up and pulling you out of the bar to his pickup.

Your back hits the passenger door of his pick, your gazes watching one another. It’s you that sneaks up a hand around his neck, pulling his lips to yours. Not caring that you were the one to break this time, all you knew was that you needed Rhett like you needed air to breathe.

The clash of your lips against one another, stings slightly against your split lip, but the way Rhett’s leg slots between your knees has you forgetting.

It’s when Rhett nips at your bottom lip that has you cursing. Rhett’s fast to pull back, his eyes dropping to your lip and that anger from earlier reappears.

“Who the fuck did it?” the question leaves no room for you to evade it. Trapped within his arms and his hard gaze.

“Trevor.” His name taste like acid on your tongue and your sure Rhett doesn’t miss the way your grimace.

The hands at your hip tighten, surely causing bruises, and your hands drop to rub Rhett’s shoulders. A silent gesture from you, telling him that you’re okay.  

“I’ll fucking kill him.” And the heat between you is forgotten by him. The only thing incasing him now, was his anger aimed directly at your brother.

Rhett feels the way his breath picks up, he knew that your family was a bunch of assholes and that you all fought religiously. Hell, he’d been there for a few of them when you were both still in high school.

But to hear that Trevor had physically put his hands on you, set off something entirely new within him.

He doesn’t hear you; a ringing has started in his ears, and he can’t stop the replaying imagery in his mind of Trevor hitting you. He’s making his way around the pick-up and climbing into the driver’s seat.

“Tilly get in.” His voice is harsh and has you climbing in quickly.

Before you know it, he’s pulling from the parking spot and heading back towards both of your homes.

“Rhett what are you thinking?” though you don’t receive an answer, the sound of gravel underneath the tire’s echoes through the cab.

You can see the steam rolling off him and though you should be scared, you know that Rhett would never hurt you. The split in the road ahead is looming, one to the Abbott Ranch and the other to your families.

Looking over to Rhett you can see his hands shaking in rage. Reaching over you take one of his hands from the steering wheel and hold it against your lips. Giving his knuckles repeated kisses, as his gaze settles on your face.

“Pull over baby.” Your voice is soft and not demanding, though you know that Rhett will listen to your gentle request.

The truck stops in the middle of the road, and you can see a storm rising up against the mountains. Much like the one that is clearly racking through Rhett’s mind, he’s eyes look back to your eyes, watching the way you continually kiss his knuckles.

A shuttered breath leaves his lips, and his head is bowing down into his chest. His voice quiet, but you still hear him.

“He hit you.” The shake and pain in his voice is clear as day. “He put his fucking hands on you, and they did nothing.”

His face snaps to you, as you go to correct him, words failing you. His gaze proves that he already knows the truth.

“Okay, so they did nothing. What’s new?” The laugh that leaves you is more strained than you planned, “I got a good hit in though, think I broke his nose.”

Rhett watches you as you tell him, a chuckle leaves his lips at your comment. The hand you’d been kissing, raising to brush against your cheek.

“My Girl.”

Such wonder and love in his tone, his eyes showing nothing but pride in you. The feeling rattles you to your core. You and Rhett had broken things off, but that didn’t mean you stopped loving him.

The look he’s giving you, makes it seem like he still loved you too. You’re up and climbing across the truck before you can seconded guess the decision.  

Climbing over into his lap, needing to be next to him, to feel him and know that he was with you.

He welcomes you, grabbing your hips to settle your thighs on either side of his lap. One hand coming to rest on your cheek, grazing the split in your lip once again.

“He deserves so much more than just a fucking broken nose.” You nuzzle into his palm, placing kisses into it.

“And you would have killed him without a seconded thought?” Your laugh is silenced, as Rhett straightens your face to look at him.

“I’d burn the fucking world to the ground for you Tilly.” The way he says it, causes your core to clench.

A commandment of love, without actually saying the words.

You know that he would, but hearing the rasp and seriousness in his voice, made you feel like you were about to combust.

Your lips surge forward, kissing him in the only way you know how to express your feelings. You needed him and you didn’t care if you were in the middle of a public road. You needed him to quench the burning in your core. To make you scream his name, to feel his length hit that spongy little spot that only he reached.

Your need for him, drowning out the pain in your lip.

Your teeth clashed against one another, Rhett’s hand rising up to knock the hat off your head.  His hand settling at the back of your hair, pulling you down harder into him. His hip bucking slightly as you grind down against his hard length, pressing into you through the two layers of denim.

The harsh tug on your hair has your head dropping back and an airy moan falling from your lips. Rhett’s lips trail down your neck, wet open mouth kisses left in his wake.

You’d missed this, the way that only he knew your body.

And just like every time, his lips settle over the junction of your neck and collarbone, teasing and biting the spot.

Your hips push down harder, your core burning with need, his lips never leave your neck. Marking you as his own. No one would question if you were together by the end of the night, he was gonna make sure of it.

It’s the nip of his teeth, that has you let out a loud moan, and your hips moving on their own accord. His hands falling to your ass, pushing, and pulling you.  

“Atta girl, let me hear you.”

A whine breaks through your lips at the praise, keening in delight. The cab of the truck getting entirely too hot, and Rhett’s hands find the bottom of your shirt tugging it over your head.

Your lips finding each other again, tastes of whiskey and mint reach your lips, your tongue teasing his bottom lip.

His hands grasping and running over your unclothed top, hands slipping behind you and flicking the clasp of your bra.

Your eyes meet each other, time slowing. Your hands hold your bra in place, Rhett’s hands raising to trace your arms. His fingers slipping into the straps, to tug them down softy. His mouth descending to your collarbone, kissing over the tops of your breast.

Your back arches, your hips lifting slightly, chasing his tongue. He laughs at you softy, before striping your bra completely from your body.

A low groan leaves his lips, watching your chest rise and fall with each breath.

“Fuckin’ perfect.” His hand rising to cup one breast, thumb grazing your nipple. A shiver consumes your body, as your nipple erects in the cool air. “Such a pretty girl for me.”

He smirks at you, a teasing look that has you whining and your hands pulling his head down.

“So fuckin’ needy.”

The only reply falling from your lips is a moan, as his lips wrap around the bud. His other hand coming up to tug on the other. Your hands raking through his hair, tugging him forward, the tug of his teeth on you makes your head drop back. Your eyes falling shut, enjoying the way Rhett encompasses you.

He works your body over, still full clothed in front of you, and yet has you begging for release.

Quiet pleas fall from your lips, your need consuming every inch of your body.

“Please. Need it, Rhett. Need you.”

His hips buck up into you, and a high-pitched whine leaves you. Your hands moving to paw at his shirt, the need to feel him, is the only thought coursing through your mind.

You try to unbutton his shirt, but you can’t seem to process it. An upset whine from you, has Rhett’s hands replacing yours, getting the shirt off far quicker than you could.

Your hands falling to trace along his stomach, a smile gracing your lips, and you’re leaning in to kiss him.

Pressing into to him, needing the feel of his skin pressed against your own. The kiss far more than just that, Rhett’s hands rising to cradle your face, and, in that moment, you know you can’t leave him again.

He was as much a part of you, as your need to breath. Without him; it was like you’d been under water, your surrounding muffled. Being back; was like you were experiencing the world again, like you’d been gasping for air, and he was that first breath.

“Need you, Tilly.” The hand cradling your face, has his thumb tracing along your bottom lip. Gently tugging it down, you nipping as his thumb, your gaze never leaving one another.

“Let me have you.” The look in his eyes, pleading for you. Not for just a fuck; but you, wholly.

“I’m yours, Abbott.” Kissing him softy, leaning back to mutter against his lips. “Only ever been yours.”

He sucks in a harsh breath, his eyes watching you, silently questioning you. Waiting for you to laugh in his face, to tell him you didn’t mean it.

“I’m serious Rhett, —” Your voice cracks slightly as you watch him, overwhelmed by the emotions coursing through your body. “I — I’m not leaving you again. I can’t.”

You're afraid that tears might fall, the events of the night weighing on you. You know that Rhett loves you, you don’t need to hear it, he’d showed you how he did your whole life.

“I love you so fuckin’ much Tilly, never been anyone else. Not even with you gone.” Your breath is sucked from your chest when he mutters it. Your eyes shocked and questioning. “No one else baby, not even the bunnies.”

The revelation has you surging forward in need, finding out that he had always been yours, sets your skin a flame. Your hands fall to this belt buckle, tugging it undone, as he works at your jeans. The both of you curse as Rhett gets your jeans unzipped, but can’t lower them down your legs. You rise up, ripping them and your panties down your legs, and throwing them into the back of the truck.

Rhett laughs as you do it, your friendship and teasing spilling through the tension momentarily.

“Don’t laugh a me.” Your voice is teasing as you say it, loving the ways his laugh is so carefree. “Now get those off.” You motion to his jeans, more than ready to feel all of him against you.

“Yes Ma’am.”

He pulls them down quickly; a groan leaving his lips at his hard cock snaps up to rest against his tone stomach. The tip red and dripping with precum, your hand reaching out to stroke him.

His length pulses in your palm and you can’t stop the way you bite your lip. The need to taste him overwhelming; the need to have him groaning under your touch.  

His eyes move down to glance at your dripping heat, his hands reaching out to grab you instantly. Fingers tracing down your hip bones and up your thighs, teasing you, your cunt clenching down in anticipation.

“Touch me, please Rhett.”

As the last syllable of his name leaves your lips, his fingers ghost along your slit. Slipping into you slightly, then pulling out to graze your clit. Your hips buck as he does it.

Rhett’s other hand comes up to rest on your hip, holding you in place.

“Hold still.” The bite in his tone pulls at your core, his eyes watching your reaction. Gaging just how far he can push you, and when you bite your lip, his hold on you tightens a bit more.

“You gonna be my good girl?”

The way your eyes snap up to him, slightly glazed over, and the hurried nod you give him, makes him let out a low groan.

His fingers slipping back into your tight channel, nudging that spongy little spot, barely grazing it. Your hips drop farther onto his lap, working to feel him just a bit deeper and when they don’t, you’re crying out.

“Need your cock.” The burning in your core insufferable; and making your mind hazy.

“Take it darlin’.” His nose nudges against your own, lips barley touching.

“Take what’s yours, baby.”

Heat surrounds you, your mind lost in need, and you’re moving to hover over his cock as he finishes the sentence. Your mind only clearing up slightly, looking up into his eyes.

“There’s never been anyone else for me either.”

And you’re sinking down around him.

Those eight months apart, make it feel like he might break you. Your legs tremble, your heat stretching and you’re cursing out.

Your head drops back as a gasp falls from your lips. His cock hitting that little spot perfectly. Too deep, but not deep enough.

A string of breathy whines fall from your lips, and Rhett swears you’ve never looked prettier.

Eye’s glazed over, lips unable to form words, so fucked out, and all you’ve done it sit on his cock.

His hips buck up just sightly, and you’re dropping forward leaning against his chest, mumbling incoherently.

“So, fucking tight for me baby.” His hips buck once more, enjoying the reaction from you. Like his cock has broken your mind, leaving you to be his perfect little doll. “Such a good pussy baby.”

The praise has you keening against his chest, your hips rising up slightly, before dropping back down. Your heat clenching around him, like a vice, his own head dropping back to rest against the seat.

“That’s it baby, take what you need.”

His words spur you on, hands resting on his shoulders as your repeatedly rise and fall on his length. Your hands move to the back of his hair and pull him forward. Needing to feel his lips on you, the pace of your hips speed up.

The burning in your core only rising. Mouths barely touching each other, as breathy whines fall from your lips, working to keep yourself upright.

A particular hard thrust from Rhett has your head dropping back and a loud moan to leaving your body.

Rhett’s lips surge forward, working on your neck as your fingers dig into his scalp.  Tugging and pulling his hair as you climb higher.  

 He can’t hold himself any longer, grasping your hips he pulls you up off himself only slightly. Before you can even register what’s going on, Rhett’s got the center console up and you laid out stretching across the seats.

His eyes watch the way your chest rises in hurried breaths, how he’s got you laid out before him like a god damn feast.

He’s sinking back into you, grabbing both your legs, and wrapping them around his waist. Fucking into you at a feverish speed, your hands above you, grasping the door handle. White knuckled and crying out every time Rhett surges forward.  

The heat within your core becoming all too much as he fucks you. Hips snapping, and hitting that little spot, that has tears gathering in your eyes.

“Please, need it.”

Your babbling uncontrollable, body withering underneath Rhett.

“I’ve got you Tilly.” The snapping of his hips speeding up, and his hand reaching up to cradle your face. Your wild eyes silently beg him for more, anything to push you over the end.

His own release, tittering on the edge. He needed you to come first though, need it to see his girl fall apart on his cock.

To feel your cunt clench down on his cock, as you screamed out his name.

A sharp whine leaves your lips and Rhett feels you clench around him. His hand resting on your face, thumb stroking your cheek, waiting to give you that final push.

Your eyes fall to each other, silently begging.

“Let go baby, daddy’s got you.”

You tumble over the edge, hands grasping at Rhett. Cunt clenching around him, as his own hips stutter.

“Wanna feel you daddy. Need to feel your cum.” Your voice is breathy, as you clench around him even tighter.

Rhett’s hands fall to rest by your head, hips stilling as he coats your walls. His hips slowly fucking into you, coating you completely.

Claiming you as his, and his alone.

His face rests in your neck, as he feathers gentle kisses across your neck and jaw. Causing you to giggle, when he kisses behind your ear.

The both of you enjoy the feeling of each other, needing this moment of peace in each other’s presence.

Rhett pulls away slightly and your hand holds onto his cheek as he stares into your eyes. Love seeping from them, and incasing the both of you.

There would never be anyone else for you, he was it.

Your first love, your best friend, and the man you wanted to marry. How you stayed away for so long eluded you, but you wouldn’t be doing it again.

“I love you, Rhett Abbott.”

[rhettabbotts]

Congrats Shelby!! For your sleepover, how about Dilf Rhett and the babysitter with sway (fluff prompts), hickey and grope (smut action prompts), and "you feel like home to me" (fluff dialogue prompts)? Congrats again!! <3

dress - rhett abbott

pairing: dilf!rhett abbott x babysitter!reader

summary: you’re running late for an important rancher’s event and you’re supposed to be meeting your brothers there. rhett has other plans.

w/c: 863

warnings: 18+ only. suggestive content. no sex but there is touching. groping. making out. fluff. rhett is a dog (affectionately). age gap (babysitter mid 20s, rhett late 30s).

prompts: sender pulls receiver into a slow dance in the living room / kitchen / bedroom. the sender gives the receiver a hickey somewhere on their body. the sender gropes the receivers breasts or crotch. ❛ you feel like home to me. ❜

You knew it had been a bad idea coming over to Rhett’s before leaving for the local rancher gala. Well, it was not necessarily a bad idea, but it wasn’t an intelligent decision. Rhett mentioned that he needed help with something, and said he couldn’t leave until you came over to help him. He ultimately ended up needing help with his tie. He said he didn’t wear them enough to bother learning. 

You were ready to go, knowing Billy and Luke were waiting for you to arrive. You told them you were right behind them but that was nearly thirty minutes ago. Rhett sat on the edge of his bed while you fixed the piece of fabric. He stared up at you with such intensity it made your entire body feel like it was overheating. He made you nervous when he looked at you like that. Like you held his life in your hands. It was overwhelming at times but you looked at him the same way nearly every day. 

“Got it,” you pushed out. Your voice was scratchy, mouth dry. Rhett’s hands traveled up the backs of your thighs through your floor-length gown, feeling the callouses catching every so often. 

“Thank you, baby,” he said gruffly. 

“I really gotta go. I’ll see you there, right?” You were still fussing with his tie, not wanting to let go. 

“I’ll be there. Hey, honey?”

“Yeah?”

“Dance with me. Before we go. Just one dance.” He stood to his full height, greying strands of hair falling against his forehead. He pulled you closely, swaying you in silence. He hummed a song you couldn’t quite place but it was soothing. Your heart pounded in your chest at the intimacy of it all. Resting your cheek on his chest and closing your eyes, relaxing into his embrace. 

“You feel like home to me, Rhett,” you expressed, words muffled against his shirt. 

Rhett kissed your forehead, moving down to your cheek and leaving a slobbery kiss there that made you giggle. He brushed his nose against yours before placing a breathtaking kiss on your lips. His tongue slid across your bottom lip, begging for entrance. You felt weak in your knees, knowing you would fall if it wasn’t for the hold he had around your waist. When he pulled away, a trail of spit followed and his mouth was decorated with your lipstick. It made you smile dreamily. 

“You look so beautiful, baby. This dress. My god, this dress. I don’t know if I want you to leave,” he said, traces of desire in his voice. 

“Bought it for you, Rhett,” you said quietly, shyly. 

“Oh, my sweet girl.”

His lips trailed along your jaw, moving down to press kisses across your neck. Rhett hadn’t shaved, allowing his stubble to scratch against your skin deliciously. You threw your head back, face towards the ceiling as he started to suck on the spot that made you melt. 

“Rhett, don’t - oh, god - don’t leave a mark,” you protested weakly. 

“Too late,” he muttered as he bent his neck to nuzzle into your cleavage, licking and nipping at the tops of your breasts. 

You couldn’t bring yourself to care, not with the way he was kissing over your body. One large hand came up to grope you, kneading the flesh through your dress. You moaned wantonly, begging him to take the dress off of you and to take you right then. He chuckled lightly, ignoring your pleas. 

“You know we have to leave, sweetheart,” he said teasingly. Rhett’s other hand joined the one that was currently feeling you up and had handfuls of your breasts. He pushed them together, pushed them up, squeezed. It was like he was in a trance and he couldn’t snap out of it. 

You were lost in the feeling, barely recognizing your ringtone blaring through the mostly silent room. You both groaned as Rhett pulled away from you, sticking his hands in his pockets to behave himself. 

“Yes, Luke. I’m on my way. Yeah, I’m on the road. Herd of buffalos in the road. Okay, I’ll see you soon.” 

You sighed in annoyance as you straightened your appearance in the mirror that hung above Rhett’s dresser. He came up behind you, wrapping his strong arms around your middle once more. Your fingers trailed up and down his forearm. A purple bruise was already forming near your collarbone and your neck was littered with red marks.

“I wish we could just go together,” he said, looking you in the eyes through the glass. 

“I know. I do, too,” you muttered sadly. 

He pressed a kiss to the top of your head, breathing in the scent of your shampoo. You stayed like that for a few minutes before pulling apart for good. 

“I love you. Be safe,” Rhett mumbled against your lips. 

“I love you more.” 

The rest of the night consisted of boring conversations and sneaky glances toward your boyfriend, sharing a secret smile with one another. Rhett got his wish once you got home. That dress ended up on his bedroom floor the second you made it through the threshold of his room.

[basiccortez]

Chapter 3 pairing: Rhett Abbott x (eventual) female!reader, Luke Tillerson x Female!Reader. (reader's last name is Lawton. warnings: pregnancy, vomiting, mentions of cheating, mentions of dementia, slight spoilers to outer range. eventual: death, murder, fighting, excessive drinking, cheating, birth. synopsis: Rhett never cared much about others, except when it came to her. He thought that he had lost his chance years ago, but now she's back, engaged and pregnant to the wrong person. What happens when a cowboy falls for another man's girl?

Y/N had always hated the stupid animals hung up on the fireplace wall. Back when she was a girl, there were only two, maybe three of them hung up on display. Now, there was hardly any room to hang up even a squirrel. It made her uncomfortable, like their cold dead eyes were watching every single move that she made. She sipped her tea, keeping her eyes trained on the white owl in the corner as Luke was explaining to Sheriff Joy the buckle he had found behind the Pit Bar. 

Y/N had told Luke that Trevor was making out with some blonde the last time she saw him. Luke didn’t fully believe it. It wasn’t unlike Trevor to go home with a buckle bunny from the bar, but it was unlike him to not tell either one of his brothers where he was going. Once Luke dropped Y/N back at the Tillerson land, he went back to the Pit Bar, and that’s when he found the buckle and the blood splatters on the gravel. Y/N heard him come home and get Billy, and the spinning of his tires as he sped out of the driveway and over to the Abbotts. She watched from the bedroom window his headlights draw near to the property. She had hardly slept as she paced the bedroom floor in nothing but one of Luke’s t-shirts waiting for him to come back. 

“What do you want me to do with this?” Sheriff Joy asked him, holding the buckle. 

“Investigate!” Luke said, pointing to the buckle, “Look, there’s blood right there.” 

“You know damn well that could be anything. And as sheriff-” 

“Acting sheriff,” Luke said, cutting her off. Y/N sighed and set her mug down on the coffee table and stood up, walking over to them. Unlike Luke, Y/N actually liked Sheriff Joy. Joy was the one who made the call about Chad in the middle of the street. Instead of arresting him like Sheriff Burt wanted to do, Joy talked to Chad and got him calmed down. 

“Listen Sheriff, we know how this looks, but this isn’t like Trevor,” Y/N said, putting a hand on Luke’s arm, “Just please keep an eye on it?” 

“I can do that Y/N,” Sheriff Joy smiled at the woman, “I can keep a lookout for anything that may seem suspicious.” 

Luke scoffed and walked away back towards the office. Y/N jumped as the heavy wooden door slammed shut and she gave Joy a shy smile as she led her to the front door. She watched as the squad car left the driveway, and closed the door leaning her back up against it. Her mind was spinning, there were only two people she could think of who had something to do with Trevor’s disappearance and the blood on the buckle, and that was Brooks and Rhett. 

— — — 

“Twice a day, every six hours, and no, you can’t wash these down with alcohol,” Y/N said as she handed the prescription to her patient. The older male tipped his hat before exiting the waiting room. 

There was only one medical facility within a 60 mile radius of Wabang, and it happened to be the county hospital. It was a small building with a barely functional ER, and a walk-in clinic. It made do for the population that was around, most of the folks were anti-doctor anyway and only going if they could see bone or where hacking up a lung. The doctors that worked in the hospital were either middle-aged women with kids in the school area, or old men who had been working there since the seventies. Y/N was thankful to get a job so close to home, instead of driving an hour to the big hospital in the city. 

“Hey, we’re going to grab a bite to eat at the dinner, want to join?” One of her nurses, Michelle asked. 

“Sure,” Y/N smiled, and stood up from her desk, “Doctor Keith still in?” 

“Yeah,” Michelle nodded, “How’s baby doing?” 

“Well the morning sickness has finally somewhat seemed to fade. Still get terrible headaches and my back hurts like a bitch,” She said, as she put her coat on and walked by the elder physician’s office, “Going to lunch sir, we’ll be back.” 

“Sounds good,” Doctor Keithe said, “Oh, I got that number for that midwife over in Alice County that you wanted to see. She’s the best, and the closest that we got.” 

“Thank you sir,” Y/N smiled and took the sticky note from his outstretched hand. Y/N was a tad apprehensive about living so far away from a proper labor and delivery center. The hospital in Wabang could deliver a baby if it was an absolute emergency, but most expectant mothers drove the hour to the city to have their babies there. 

The bell above the door dinged as Y/N and Michelle walked through the door. The waitress at the counter smiled at the two of them, and told them to see themselves. Rhett looked up from the cup of cooling coffee in front of him, to catch Y/N’s smile. He had noticed since telling Luke about the pregnancy, she wasn’t hiding her bump as much. The tight black shirt she wore accented the small bump and Rhett could remember the feeling of it under his hand. 

“Someone’s staring at you,” Michelle said as she grabbed the menu and started looking at it, “Oh, he’s-” 

“Y/N,” 

“Rhett,” Y/N said, greeting Rhett. Michelle bit back a laugh as she looked between the two of them, “What are you doing-” 

“Wanted to see how you were after the uh, other night.” 

“I’m fine, thanks for checking. How are you though? You were the one fighting.” 

Rhett chuckled and rubbed the back of his neck, “Yeah I uh, bruised my hand.” Rhett held his hand in front of him, flexing it in and out of a fist. 

“Why don’t you come by the clinic in like, an hour?” Michelle said, “Y/N can check that out for ya.” 

“It’s really no-” 

“Her schedule is free for the rest of the day. She can take a look to make sure nothing is broken. Can’t have the possible county champ riding with a busted hand.” 

“Oh, I’d have to take down Brooks to get that,” Rhett gave his classic half smile, “If it’s really no trouble, I would like to get it checked out.” 

“It’s no trouble, Rhett,” Y/N said, and looked up at his beautiful blue eyes. 

“Perfect, uh, enjoy your lunch,” Rhett said, and made his way towards the front door. Y/N watched with her eyes as Rhett walked across the street with a little extra pep in his step. She smiled down at her menu, her eyes landing on the ring on her finger. 

“I know what you’re thinking,” Michelle whispered, leaning in close, “But it’s just looking at a patient’s hand, ain’t nothing to it.” 

“A patient I used to be in love with,” Y/N said, looking at her, “It just. . . he touched my belly the other day and I got this, like flutter feeling in my body like I was sixteen again, watching Taylor Lautner take his shirt off to wipe blood off of Kristen Stewart's forehead. But when Luke did it. . . it felt strange. Maybe it’s just hormones. I mean, I had an episode with my father and Rhett was just there and-” 

“You don’t have to explain your feelings to me,” Michelle said, “I just want you to do what’s right for you.” 

Y/N nodded and smiled as the waitress walked over to them. She couldn’t help the sinking feeling in her chest that what she was doing with Rhett was wrong, even if it was just taking a look at his injured hand. Luke didn’t like Rhett, he had made that clear time and time again. Rhett had even been a topic of an argument between them a time or two. Y/N had always had a crush on Rhett, it had started when they were young. Rhett was the only boy who seemed to actually see Y/N for her, and not because she was Brooks’ little sister or someone who would get half the Lawton Ranch. 

After they ate lunch, and walked back to the hospital, Y/N waited in the nurses station area for Rhett to show up. She did have a mostly clear afternoon, except an appointment up in the city for an ultrasound. Luke was supposed to drive her, but he had been radio silent all day. She sighed as her call went directly to Luke’s voicemail box. She didn’t even bother to leave a message, just hung up and slammed her phone down. 

“Hey, Rhett’s in room four,” One of the nurses said, and Y/N nodded. 

She took the file from the nurse’s hand, and walked down the hallway towards the room. Rhett looked up from his hands as Y/N walked in the room. He swung his feet slightly as he sat on the exam table, and gave her a smile, but quickly dropped it seeing the look on her face. 

“What’s wrong?” Rhett asked. 

“Nothing, just tired,” Y/N said and looked around the exam room, pulling out different tapes and stuff to tape Rhett’s hand up. 

“Nah, not buying that shit,” Rhett said, “Forgetting I’ve known you since you were a young girl. Tell me what’s wrong.” 

“When I told Luke the other day, he promised me that he was going to. . . be there and all this shit, but his mind is so clogged up with Trevor missing and the shit with your land,” Y/N sighed, and grabbed Rhett’s bruised hand, looking it over. He hissed as she played with his fingers, bending and moving them to see if they were broken, “I have an appointment at the big hospital in the city, he’s supposed to drive me since my truck is in the shop. I’m going to have to cancel-” 

“I’ll take you,” Rhett said, 

“Rhett, I can’t ask you to do that. Your dad will kill me if-” 

“I want to,” Rhett said, and Y/N looked down at the roll of ace wrap in her hands, “What time you done?” 

“Now actually,” Y/N grabbed a pair of scissors and cut the wrap, securing it around Rhett’s hand, “Wiggle your fingers for me.” Rhett does as she says and moves his fingers, “Keep them wrapped, and ice that hand. I’m guessing you have painkillers at home?” 

“Ya know how us bull riders do, girl,” Rhett smirked and Y/N shook her head, and began cleaning up her supplies. Rhett scratched at the back of his neck as he watched her, “This uh. . . this appointment is uh, is everything okay?” 

Rhett could hardly remember when Rebecca was pregnant with Amy, mainly because he was so heartbroken about Maria and was just getting into the life of bull riding with Brooks. Perry had also lived in his own place in town when Rebecca was around. Rhett could remember whenever she came over, her stomach seemed to double in size until she came home with a newborn baby. 

“Yeah, everything is okay,” Y/N said, as she filled out some paperwork, “It’s just a checkup, they’ll do an ultrasound, measurements, maybe some blood work. Doctor Keith could do it, but my midwife is at the big hospital and it’s easier to just go there and get all the prenatal stuff done.” 

“Midwife?” Rhett whispered to himself. It was another thing he was going to store to memory until he could get home and google what a midwife was. 

“Ready?” Y/N asked him, and Rhett nodded, standing up from the exam table and placing his hat on his head. He followed behind her as she stopped to grab her coat and bag, saying goodbye to her coworkers and Doctor Keith. She checked her phone one more time but sighed in defeat seeing that there were no messages from Luke. 

“Come on,” Rhett said gently, seeing the look of disappointment on her face, “We got a long drive.” 

— — — 

The drive was filled with laughter from stories of Y/N’s days at college and from Rhett’s time doing rodeos with Brooks. The two had nearly five years of being apart, both leading different lives. Y/N went to a college in Kansas, studying biology, joined a sorority and then went to nursing school. Rhett worked on the ranch and doing odd end jobs for Chad with Brooks, and he rode bulls on the weekends and often got too drunk afterwards with Brooks. Rhett loved seeing the smile on her face as she tilted her head back in laughter and wiped the tears from under her eyes. 

“Stop! Oh my god, that sounds just like Brooks!” Y/N laughed, “Oh! I’m sorry baby,” Y/N gently placed a hand on her growing bump, rubbing it slightly. 

“What’s wrong?” Rhett asked, concern filling his voice as he looked between her and the road. 

“They started kicking the other day, and haven't stopped since,” Y/N said, “They’re not big enough to really see anything on the outside, but I can feel it, and Brooks could too.” 

“I remember I used to be scared to touch Rebecca’s belly, it looked like a thing from Alien when Amy would kick and move. Perry was obsessed with it.”

Y/N laughed and looked down at her belly, her glistening ring catching her peripheral vision. Even though Perry had his faults, he was a good dad to Amy. Even with all the things he had been through this past year with Rebecca missing, having to move back in with his parents, Amy seemed happy and healthy. Perry was very attentive to anything she was doing, whether it be a school science project or a dance recital. 

“Do you think. . . Do you think Luke will be a good dad?” Y/N said, not taking her eyes off her ring. 

“I mean, yeah,” Rhett shifted in his spot, “I think it’s a thing you have to learn. I don’t know much about all that instinctual stuff, but I think a lot of parenting is a learning thing. I think he’s got some learning to do.” 

“I hope you’re right,” She sighed leaning back in her seat, “Sometimes I feel like I made a mistake. Not saying the baby is a mistake but maybe, sticking around with Luke was.” 

Rhett didn’t even know how to answer that. Of course he thought her staying with Luke was a mistake, but what was she to do now? She was set to become a parent with him and eventually get married. Some of the people in Wabang were set in their ways, and Rhett was no stranger to the whispers and stares of the older folks about him, he could only imagine what she was going through. He knew that staying with Luke was to save her reputation, to save her family’s reputation. She was the one who made it out, the perfect child. Brooks had been in trouble as a young adult, their mother drank herself to death, and Chad was losing his mind. But Y/N Lawton, she was the straight A student, the future doctor, the one who would come back for Christmas and drive a BMW that everyone would stare at. But now she was pregnant, and unwed. 

Rhett sighed as he pulled into the parking lot of the hospital and put his truck in park. He turned his body to face Y/N, who was still looking at her ring, “Listen, I know Luke has had his problems, but he’s changed. He’ll come around, I know he will. He’s not gonna leave you out to dry. He’s a good guy, Y/N, probably one of the best ones you’ll find in Wabang.” 

“You said the other night you don’t bring much to the table, but I think that’s a lie,” Y/N said, turning her head to look at him. A strand of his dark blonde hair fell in front of his face, and Y/N softly pushed it back behind his ear, “Cause I can’t think of any other guy in Wabang who would drive an hour to take some pregnant lady to a doctor's appointment.” 

“Brooks.” 

“Yeah, if he was getting a blowjob after it,” Rhett chuckled and Y/N smiled and looked at the time on the dashboard, “I should head in.” 

“Yeah,” Rhett said, and opened his door. 

“What are you doing?” Y/N furrowed her eyebrows as she reached out to grab his arm. 

“Going with you?” 

“I- No, Rhett, you don’t have to.” 

“I want to,” Rhett gave her a smile and Y/N removed her hand, and got out of the truck.

Rhett’s blue eyes were wide as he looked around the waiting room of the OB clinic. He had never seen so many pregnant women in various stages of their pregnancy. He couldn’t even fathom what it would be like to carry an extra 15-20 pounds on him for months. His eyes nearly popped out of his head as he watched one woman be wheeled out from the back of the clinic. 

“Are you gonna get that big?” Rhett whispered to Y/N. Y/N looked up and smiled at the mom in front of her. 

“Possibly,” Y/N whispered back and Rhett felt a shiver go down his spine. Y/N giggled softly as she finished filling out paperwork and waited for her name to be called, “You’ve been reading those parenting books, you tell me Doctor Rhett.” 

“That kinda has a nice ring to it,” Rhett smiled. 

When her name was called, Rhett stood up first, and offered his hand out to pull her up. Y/N smiled at him as he gently put his hand on the small of her back and they followed the nurse down to the exam room. Rhett was surprised how spacious the exam rooms were compared to the ones at the hospital in Wabang. Y/N sat on the table and answered the nurse’s questions, while she took her vitals. The nurse explained what they would be checking for at this appointment, and Rhett pretended like he knew what they were saying. He made mental notes to google everything that they were saying after the appointment. 

“Alright, Paula will be in a bit. No blood tests today, thankfully,” The nurse said and smiled at Rhett and Y/N before leaving the room. 

“So you like. . . understood what she said?” Rhett asked shyly, and Y/N giggled. 

“Yes, I did,” Y/N said, and looked at the various posters around the room, “Everything is going okay. Paula is my midwife, and she’ll take measurements, listen to the baby’s heartbeat, and take an ultrasound. Standard stuff.” 

Rhett nodded his head, like he understood what she was explaining. His eyes looked over the posters in the room, widening at how graphic some of them were. The one with a baby being delivered, made his stomach churn. He had delivered cows and horses before, he wasn’t afraid to pickup and hold a brand new philly in his arms. But there was something about the image of a human baby being born that didn’t sit right in his stomach. He looked over at Y/N, as she scrolled through her phone, laying back on the exam table, and absentmindedly running her hand over her small bump. Even doing literally nothing, she was beautiful. 

Rhett finally understood what his mom said when she would refer to the pregnant ladies at church as “glowing.” Y/N always seemed to have a natural glow to her, but now that she was carrying a baby in her belly, she seemed to have a golden halo following her around wherever she went. Rhett could hardly keep his blue eyes off of her when she was around. How Luke didn’t notice her “pregnancy glow” was beyond Rhett’s knowledge. 

“Knock, knock!” A chipper voice said, as the door to the room opened, and two women walked in. Y/N sat up a bit, handing her phone to Rhett, who took it and sat it on the chair next to him, “Y/N, you’re looking better than the last time I saw you!” 

“I feel better than the last time we saw each other,” Y/N giggled, “Rhett this is Paula, my midwife, and MaryAnn, my doula.”

“Nice to meet you,” Rhett said, giving them both a small and shaking the two women’s hands. 

Paula gave Y/N a look and she shook her head. During her first appointment, Y/N had spilled it all, about how she was engaged to a man who didn’t know she was pregnant and she wasn’t sure if she could tell him. Y/N didn’t know if it was because of the hormones, or because Paula and MaryAnn gave her the same vibes as her mother once did, but it was easy to tell them everything. 

“Alright, well, friends are good to have!” Paula smiled, and walked over to the counter, and started running through the prenatal exam. 

Rhett watched as MaryAnn helped Y/N lay flat on her back, and pull her shirt up. His blue eyes went straight to the small protrusion in her stomach. Her bump looked even bigger than it did last week. MaryAnn pressed on her stomach, trying to get a measurement of where the fundus was at. 

“Does that hurt the baby?” Rhett asked, leaning slightly forward to watch what MaryAnn was doing with her hands, and Y/N looked over at him, “I mean, all that pushing and stuff.” 

MaryAnn smiled down at you, before turning to Rhett, “No, it doesn’t hurt the baby. Trying to get a measurement on where the fundus is at. It's a part of the uterus. Next, I’m going to measure her belly, and see where we are sitting for overall percentage.” 

“Oh okay,” Rhett nodded and sat back in his chair, seeming happy with her response. Y/N couldn’t help but feel her heart flutter at his concern. MaryAnn and Paula shared a knowing look, as MaryAnn read the measurements she took. 

“Alright, looks like you’re sitting right at the perfect place we want you to be,” Paula said, and closed the file, walking over to the ultrasound machine, “Let’s get to the fun part, seeing the baby.” 

Y/N smiled and looked over at Rhett, who gave her a smile in return. His eyes quickly moved from her, to her belly, and then to the screen. He let out a soft gasp, as Paula placed the ultrasound wand on Y/N’s belly, and the image of the small baby in her uterus appeared in front of him. He hadn’t ever seen an ultrasound before, just the images of after when Rebecca was pregnant with Amy. It was much cooler to see it live, Rhett could see the baby moving around, and even the beating of their heart. 

“Alright, let's listen to that heartbeat,” Paula said, clicking a button and a loud whooshing sound filled the office. Rhett, nor Y/N had realized that he had moved closer to her, leaning down by her head to watch the screen closer. He was in complete awe that what he was seeing on the screen was what was growing inside of Y/N. 

“Are you okay?” Y/N said softly, looking up at Rhett. 

“Huh? Yeah, I’m fine,” Rhett said, looking down at her. She lifted her hand up, and wiped a tear from his cheek, “Shit, I’m sorry.” 

“It’s okay. I cried during my first ultrasound too,” She responded. 

“It’s just. . . that’s really cool,” Rhett said, giving her his classic half smile. Paula smiled softly at the two of them, before taking and printing some pictures. 

Paula got Y/N set up for her next ultrasound, and gave her another package of prenatal vitamins. Rhett couldn’t wipe the smile off his face as they got back in his truck or during the whole ride back to Wabang. Y/N looked over the ultrasound picture, pointing out different features and showing them to Rhett. Rhett asked her about all the things that Paula and MaryAnn had said, and Y/N did her best to clarify it for him. For once in his life, Rhett wished he paid more attention in anatomy and biology class in high school. 

“So the next one, they’ll be able to know the gender?” Rhett asked, as he turned on the gravel road towards the Lawton ranch. 

“You are kinda obsessed with knowing what I’m having,” Y/N giggled. 

“Gotta know if I need to buy a tiara or a cowboy hat.” 

“Hey! Little girls can have cowboy hats too.” 

“Well obviously. I gotta know if I gotta get one with a-” Rhett’s smile dropped the second he pulled into the hospital parking lot and saw Luke’s and Brooks trucks parked at the entrance to the Lawton driveway. They both looked pissed, as Luke was staring down Rhett’s truck and Brooks was staring down Luke, “Want me to stay?” Rhett asked softly. 

“It’s probably better if you don’t,” Y/N said barely above a whisper. She felt her throat constrict with tears as she looked down at the ultrasound picture. 

“He’s not gonna hurt you, not with Brooks here. I atleast feel better about leaving you knowing that he’s right there.” 

Y/N turned her head and looked at Rhett, “Thank you, for everything. I’ll see you around.” 

Rhett nodded his head, as Y/N got out of his truck, and slowly walked over to where Luke was waiting. Rhett watched for a moment as Luke said something to her, and Brooks walked up between them. Luke pushed Brooks hand off his shoulder, and pointed Y/N in the direction of his truck. She kept her head down as she walked towards the passenger seat of Luke’s truck. She didn’t even glance back towards Rhett, which made his heart ache. Luke hardly let her back hit the seat, as he started up the truck, turning the wheel quickly and leaving a cloud of dust as he drove away from the ranch. Rhett pulled up his truck towards where Brooks was standing, watching the truck leave. He rolled the window down and leaned over the side. 

“I don’t know what you’re doing with her,” Brooks said, not taking his eyes off the retreating truck, “But for once. . . back off.” 

“You and I both know I can’t do that,” Rhett’s blue eyes looked back at his steering wheel. Out of the corner of his eye, he caught sight of the black and white photo she had left on the bench seat of his truck. 

“I know you can’t,” Brooks sighed, and turned back towards his truck, getting in it and leaving Rhett alone with his thoughts.

--- --- ---

taglist: @Starlightsiren @callsign-phoenix @wannabeddiesgirl @sweetlittlegingy @gretasmokerising @Soggy-max @the-winter-marvel33 @callsign-blue @lewispthings @nobody7102 @maria-allegra @severewobblerlightdragon @bradshawswife @thedaredevilsgirl

taglist form

[jungle-angel]

His Funny Familiars (Rhett Abbott x Reader)

Summary: You thought wifey’s familiars were a sight to see?? Wait untill you meet Rhett’s

Tagging: @sebsxphia​ Hon the video that inspired this was too cute to pass up and I couldn’t resist (lol). 

“Fuckin hoodlums,” Rhett muttered as he carefully pulled the prybar from the fencepost for the nine millionth time in a row. Why the hell was Wabang full of so many disrespectful little shits from out of town who thought they owned everyone and everything? 

He pulled the prybar loose, his face taking on a pinched look as the pain in his hand shot up into his arm and elbow. “Ya’ll better get that checked out,” remarked a familiar drawl. “Fractures can lead to something worse.” 

Rhett turned his head to see Billy Tillerson making his way down the hill with a wicker basket in his hands, his eyes looking more tired than usual. “And you’d better get some rest,” Rhett chuckled. 

“Oh believe me, I am,” Billy answered. “Gotta get it now while I can. Shania’s gonna have the baby soon.” 

“Six more days,” Rhett assured him. “Six more days and the little guy’s comin.” 

“Don’t remind me,” Billy laughed as he set to work, helping Rhett repair the fence. 

The two of them bantered back and forth as the early morning sunrise began to peek over the hills, the mists surrounding the hills as the chilly spring morning welcomed the day. Rhett loved mornings like this, cool, misty and with hints of sharp moisture and the smell of grass in the air. 

“Oh by the way,” Billy said. “I made a little something for your Ma last week. (Y/n) was kind enough to share the recipe with us.” 

“Her Irish Soda Bread?” 

“The very one.” 

Rhett’s huge grin grew bigger as he hammered in another nail when all of a sudden he caught sight of a familiar ringed tail hanging over the edge of the basket. 

“Hey! Meeko, outta there you little ring-tailed thief!” 

The baby raccoon chittered and squeaked as though he had understood Rhett perfectly, his chubby little body dropping into the grass and zooming straight to his master like a tame dog. 

“That thing’s tamer than our dog,” Billy laughed. 

“Probably because (y/n) and I feed him and his siblings all the damn time,” Rhett replied. 

Billy’s head suddenly looked up to see a dreaded sight making its way over to the fence along a path from the road. “Uh oh,” he groaned. 

“What’s up?” 

“Brace yourself,” Billy said under his breath. “The gorgon approaches.” 

There she was, Gale Burch, that pinch faced menace from up the road, her grey hair cut into a neat pageboy, her grey dress stiff and without a single wrinkle in it, black shoes holding in her feet while on her elbow was a little black purse hanging from a thin silver chain. God she looked evil, more evil than she usually did when the Abbotts and the Tillersons saw her at St. Mike’s on Sunday mornings. 

“Ah just who I wanted to see,” Gale crowed. “The neighborhood heathen and his little accomplice.” 

Rhett cleared his throat and mustered all his strength to bite his tongue and be polite for once. “Good to see you Mrs. Burch.” 

“Oh spare me the polite façade,” Gale spat. “I’ve got a bone to pick with you Mr. Abbott. In fact, several.”

“Oh?” 

“Don’t play dumb with me you brainless sinful little twerp,” Gale hissed. “That disgusting little pest sitting there at your feet went rooting through my trash receptacles looking for his next meal. If it were up to me, I’d have it turned into a hat.” 

Meeko chittered and curled around Rhett’s ankle, covering his little eyes with his tiny paws. 

“Well, who knows, maybe it’ll cover the bald spot on the back of your head,” Rhett said with a smug little grin. 

“Oh you smart mouthed little shit!” Gale hissed. “You’re just like your mother. A hateful, godless little Irish heathen that breeds like a lowly rabbit!” 

Rhett’s blood began to boil as Gale walked away, her pointed, beaky nose in the air and an insatiable urge running through him to the core, the urge to bury Gale Burch in a hole so deep it might as well be on the nearest doorstep in hell. 

“Now Rhett, I wouldn’t....” 

“Oh I’m not gonna kill her,” Rhett said, cutting Billy off. “Believe me, I’ve got something better in mind.” 

Back to the house they went, where they found you in the kitchen and tiny little Hannah sitting on the counter, swinging her legs and her little socked feet as you scooped pumpkin cookie batter onto a tray. “Whatcha lookin for cowboy?” you asked him. 

“Lookin for that mealworm shit you bought for the raccoons,” Rhett answered as he searched the cabinets.

“On top of the fridge,” you answered. 

Rhett gently moved you sideways before grabbing the bag of mealworm and chow mix off the top of the refrigerator. “Might I ask what you plan on using that for?” you enquired, noticing the mischevous look in his eye. 

“You don’t need to know darlin, it’s all good,” Rhett answered as he and Billy traipsed back out the door. 

As soon as he was out of earshot, you peered out the kitchen window to find the two of them heading down the driveway hill in the direction of Gale Burch’s property. 

“Son of a bitch,” you whispered, rolling your eyes. 

“I know that whisper (y/n),” Cecelia remarked, picking Hannah up off the counter and onto her hip. “What are those two little weasels up to now?” 

“I don’t wanna know,” you answered, throwing up your hands. “They told me I didn’t need to know, so I’m not asking.” 

“Any idea where they’re going?” 

“Over towards the Burch property.” 

Cecelia made a face. “Wonder what old fish face did to’em now,” she seethed. “The other day she was giving Mrs. Garcia hell for her climbing roses being too tall.” 

“Well,” you said. “We’ll find out tomorrow what they were up to.” 

********************

“Alright Meeko,” Rhett whispered to the little raccoon. “Go git’em.” 

Meeko climbed straight up the perfectly white picket fence and into Gale’s yard, dropping right into the neatly manicured grass to pick up a few of the mealworms, digging up the miserable witch’s vegetable beds like a kid in a sandbox. Betty Sullivan’s little chihuahua, Pinky, had attempted the same feat but had been met with the unfortunate wrath of Gale’s nasty cat, Gremlin. Rhett prayed that Meeko would make it out without arousing the wrath of that spoiled rotten little furball. 

“Ya’ll think he’s gonna make it out?” Billy asked. 

“He’s a smart little fucker, of course he’ll make it,” Rhett answered. 

The two of them tensed up when they heard the clanging and dropping of old glass bottles from the recycling cans. Their hearts threatened to beat out of their chests when they heard that horrid snarl and hissing that signaled Gremlin lurking about. 

“Oh shit,” Rhett said under his breath. 

Meeko hissed a second later, the two men only able to guess what was going on behind the fence, too nervous too look for themselves. Finally, Meeko wriggled his way out from under the fence, climbing straight into the curve of Rhett’s arms. 

“You little turd,” he chuckled. “Scarin us shitless like that.” 

“Holy shit!” Billy laughed. “Rhett, ya’ll gotta come and look at this.” 

Rhett peered over the fence, biting his lip as he held back a laugh. 

The garden beds were an absolute mess, dug up down to the roots with the vegetables all knocked over and the driveway littered with garbage from the trashcans. 

“C’mon,” Rhett told Billy, still holding on to Meeko. “Let’s get outta here before we get attacked by that monster cat of hers.” 

********************

Rhett knelt beside the pew in the church, crossing himself before he scooted in next to you, Hannah, Royal and his mother, biting his lip as though a devilish little laugh could escape at any minute. 

“Rhett?” Cecelia whispered. 

Rhett snickered as the other parishioners began filing into the sun filled church. Sister Bernadette made her way down the aisle towards the front, her white hair completely hidden by her black habit. 

“Rhett James, what did you do?” Cecelia hissed, resisting the urge to hit him on the back of the head with a hymnal. 

Rhett didn’t answer her. He just kept his eyes on his hands that were folded in his lap, never once daring to look up at his mother. 

You and Cecelia cast each other a quick glance before you saw the sour looking Gale Burch walking into the church, mean as ever, muttering something under her breath about a raccoon tearing up her garden. Cecelia turned to Rhett, slackjawed, wide eyed and shocked as she clamped a hand over her mouth. 

“Oh my God, you didn’t,” she hissed under her breath. 

“I did.”

You laughed a little yourself before Father O’Keefe entered and the service began. You couldn’t wait to hear this one when you got home. 

[ratquesadilla]

just tell me you love me, cause that’s all i need to hear (prologue)

pairing: rhett abbott x oc

word count: 1633

ao3 link: https://archiveofourown.org/works/42427557/chapters/106551282

girl meets boy, girl falls for boy. boy falls for girl?

chapter 1 - series masterlist - full masterlist

----

wabang, wyoming. my father had grown up here, met my mother here, and now i was being shipped off to the asshole of america against my will. i deserved it, i could at least admit that. breaking traci stafford’s nose, which she deserved, was the nail in the coffin for my father. being a single parent was hard, but a single parent to a daughter that had been acting out near daily for the last month was like a death sentence. my vacation, if you could even call it that, was his solution to my growing instability. my godfather had a ranch and my father had a daughter that desperately needed discipline, so here i was. 

dry, smelly, and beige were the first things that came to mind when i exited the small airport. the bright sun hit my eyes, a shocking change from the fluorescents i’d been under for the last couple of hours, and i was immediately hit with disappointment; the abbott’s were late. starting off with a bang, i thought, dropping my bags on the bench closest to the doors and sitting down, pulling my headphones over my ears and pressing play on the first album that popped up on my screen. 

my angsty bullshit was interrupted by someone calling my name. 

“hazel dawson, as i live and breathe.”

“royal.” i replied, “nice to see you.”

“cut the crap, last time i saw you you were still a baby. you don’t need to flatter me.”

“yeah well i’m stuck with you for god knows how long so i might as well stay on your good side.” 

“get in the car.” he said, suppressing a smile, “we’ve got a long drive ahead and you need to start on the ranch as soon as possible.” i picked up my bags and began hauling them into the back of royal’s truck. my father had told me stories of him and royal’s hijinks over the years, but this was the first time i was actually meeting my dads best friend. if i wasn’t so pissed off i’d probably be in shock. this was the man responsible for matchmaking my parents. he was indirectly responsible for my entire existence. 

——

royal wasn’t joking, the drive was long. we’d left the airport around midday and arrived at the abbott ranch well after sundown. there was no welcome party, or a crowd of people waiting to greet me at the door, but there was dinner in the kitchen and a room ready for me. i wasn’t picky, at this point i was glad to have anything that wasn’t an uncomfortable, poorly cushioned, seat to sit in. cecilia began reheating leftovers, and i left to bring my things upstairs. i dragged the duffel bags up the staircase, trying my best to make as little noise as possible. the last thing i wanted to be was a nuisance, waking everyone up in the middle of the night. 

there was a boy standing in the doorway on the second floor landing, parallel to the stairs. a very, very, handsome boy. his sweatpants sat inches below his navel, a trail of hair leading to his belly button, and his hair was damp- but not damp enough to prevent a couple of drops from sliding off the strand of hair that hovered in front of his forehead. there was a fresh bruise on the left side of chest. it was slightly crescent shaped; almost like he’d been struck by a piece of the moon. 

“hey.” he said, crossing his arms and leaning on the doorframe.

“hey yourself.” i said.

“thought you were getting in later.”

“yeah well if i hit every expectation on the head i wouldn’t be here in the first place.” i joked. “i’m hazel by the way.”

“rhett.” he said, waving his hand in a quick hello.

“what happened to your tits, rhett.” i questioned, nudging my nose towards his bruise.

“bull riding.” he replied. “nothing i can’t handle.” we stared at each other for a moment, neither of us saying anything. he looked at me like i was an alien, and i looked at him like he was a god in his human form. 

“i’ll see you later.” i said, breaking the silence and beginning towards my room at the end of the hall. my cheeks were burning red, and my heart was beating out of my chest. there was something about rhett that none of the boys i was used to had.

——

i woke up to royal standing above me. the clock on my bedside table reading 7:00. “get up, we’ve got a long day ahead of us.” he said, “be downstairs in 10.” sliding out of bed and into my jeans, i looked out the window. the sun was right above the mountain, she’d been awake far longer than me; her presence almost mocking my reluctancy to get out of bed. everyone was around the table when i got downstairs, trying their best not to stare but i saw through it. my eyes were drawn to rhett almost immediately but i quickly turned my attention towards the blonde women across from him. she stood from her chair and began walking towards me.

“i’m rebecca.” she said, pulling me into a hug. “it’s nice to have another girl around here.”

“hazel.” i replied, breaking the hug and sitting in the empty chair across from the only man who’s name i didn’t know.

“this is my husband perry.” rebecca said, point to the man sitting next to her. “you’ll have to excuse him he’s a little shy.” i extended my arm across the table, he reciprocated and shook my hand. 

“we can get the introductions over with later.” royal stated, passing me a box of cereal. “no more dilly-dallying we have work to do.”

the conversation around the table stayed brief, my presence had obviously disrupted business around here, and i stayed silent. i stared at the edge of the table, afraid to look up and seeing everyone staring at me again and wishing i could melt into a puddle on the floor. i fidgeted with my fingers, and tapped the tip of my converse against the bottom of my other shoe. i picked at my cuticles and shook my leg until it went numb. everyone else was wearing boots, had cowboy hats. they looked like they belonged. i stuck out like a sore thumb, and i hated it. i wanted to disappear. 

“hazel.” a voice behind me said. “get up were going to the barn.” i turned around and saw royal rinsing his bowl in the sink, diverting my anxious attention to my arms. beginning to scratch at one spot, slowly wearing the skin down, and walking towards the door. 

royal stopped me before we entered the barn. “before we go in there i need you to know something.” he said, grabbing my shoulders and turning me towards him. “since you ain’t one of my boys i’ve only got one rule for you, tell me the truth no matter what. you do that for me and swear on my momma that i will never keep a secret from you. i will tell you the truth, always. but only if you do the same. you understand?”

“yeah.” i nodded, “i promise, swear on my momma.”

the stables smelled like shit. the suffocating summer heat didn’t help. 

“this here’s your horse.” royal said, point to the black animal beside him. she shook her head, letting her ink black mane jump off her neck. i stared at her dark eyes, reminding me of a black hole, trying to understand her more. she had hay stuck in her tail, and dirt staining the white on her legs. it was like she was wearing socks, and her hooves were the shoes. i let go of my arm, ceasing the obsessive skin picking, and brought my hand to her face. carefully cupping her cheek and bring my face closer to hers. 

“you’re beautiful.” i whispered, maintaining eye contact with her, and she blinked her eyes. almost like she was letting me know that she could understand what i was saying. “is she really mine?” i asked, turning to face royal.

“sure is.” he said. “you know how to ride?”

“i’ve got a vague understanding of how it works.” i replied. “the only thing i can’t do is saddle her myself.”

“i’ll get rhett in here to teach you, he’s always been the best at that.” royal stated, walking towards the barn doors. “hang tight i’ll only be a minute.”

the youngest abbott entered the barn and lead me to the back room. pointing me towards which saddle was mine, and where i could fine any horse care tools i could possibly need. he showed me how to attach every strap, and how tight to make everything so the horse would be comfortable but it’s rider would be safe. he wrapped his arms around me and maneuvered my hands as if they were his. “muscle memory.” he said, “you’ll be a natural in no time.”

in that moment we were the only people on earth, existing only for each other. the grudge i held against my father for sending me to this ranch crumbled, and my distaste for this state faded away. the wyoming summer heat was replaced by the warmth radiating off of him, and the eye watering smell that radiated from every corner of the barn was no longer there. in it’s place was the overwhelming smell of grass after a rainstorm. it was fresh and dirty at the same time. like he’d just taken a shower and stood next to a pile of soil so long that the smell stuck to his skin. 

and in that moment i fell in love.

[delopsia]

Little Wolf | Rhett Abbott x Reader

Word Count: 6,300 Cross Posted Here on AO3 Warnings & Notes: 18+, Fem!Reader, wolf!reader, outlaw!Rhett, unprotected sex, mild breeding kink, pregnancy, usage of firearms (you get shot at), general running from the law stuff with a dash of running Perry over💃 and a cute little bonus scene at the end

"Quit staring at that saloon girl before you make her uncomfortable."

"I'm sorry, ma'am; I just thought she was pretty. Didn't mean nothin' by it."

Curse your sensitive hearing.

Shifting your gaze to the floor, you tilt your head back down, feigning interest in this old lumberjack's tall tales. His hand trembles as he lifts his glass of beer, the golden liquid sloshing around the inside. Yet, that cannot and will not stop him from downing the entire glass. A skill acquired only after decades upon decades of afternoon drinking and drunken midnights.

This isn't usually your cup of tea, but it's the only thing stopping you from burying your face in your palms and screaming into them. 

No good woman should be so affected by an outlaw like Rhett Abbott. Fugitive. Rogue. Robber. Wild-eyed cowboy with a smile that warms your heart like an open campfire.

You need to stop this.

Whoever thought it was a good idea to place a Saloon and a Jailhouse in the same building should be hauled out back and put down with the nearest rifle. Because how the hell is a woman meant to focus on her job when there's a good-looking outlaw just waiting to meet her eye?

"D'you know that Abbott boy?" Your ogling has been caught, that old gentleman's eyes may be clouded, but they're sharp as a tack. 

"No sir," folding your hands in your lap.

"'ts for the best; that's the kind of man you want to stay clear of," as if to punctuate his statement, he slams his glass against the old oak table, "fetch me another one of these, would ya?" 

Your nose twitches. 

Though you've only been working at this establishment for three days, you've learned something very key. All the men in this town are the damn same. Nice until they feel they no longer have to be. Their sweet tones are nothing more than a clever ruse, fading away the moment they want something.

The glass is sticky in your hand as you carry it back to the bar; had he been nice about it, you would request a new one. Lumberjack will have to get over it.

Every movement you make is carefully watched by dazzling ocean blues, the kind of color that threaten to drown you in them. Rhett Abbott. Jailed for the attempted robbery of Luke and Billy Tillerson and the suspect of Trevor Tillerson's murder. The ghosts of this town whisper their mountainous accusations as if they are true.

One mouth tells you with confidence that he is a wanted killer, and another claims him to be responsible for destroying his crops and killing his milking cow. This morning the mailman accused him of breaking into the mailroom because a handful of letters were misplaced. 

It's difficult to pry your thoughts off that quiet outlaw. 

Your senses have always been rather sensitive; maybe those are to blame. Ears always managing to pick up on his noises, the way he hums when you look at him, beckoning you to speak to him. Nose so sickly aware of the peppermint he's sucking on, eyes always straining to catch glimpse of his handsome face in your peripheral.

When you're not entertaining customers, your fingers distract you with daydreams of what it feels like to touch his hair. Running your hands through it, watching how those eyes flutter. You have to toy with the leather body harness beneath your dress to keep from losing your mind.

Even when you're forced to pry the jeweled dagger from your boot, daring this old lumberjack to try and touch your ass again, you can't forget him.

"Who gave you that dagger there?" The bartender asks you in passing; you've already forgotten his name, something along the lines of Kirk. 

"My husband," it slips from your mouth so quickly that you've hardly processed his question. The bartender's eyes narrow. "He uh...passed a few years ago."

"Ah," visibly taken aback, "well, I'm...I'm sorry to hear that." 

That outlaw keeps staring. Filling your bones with jelly and forcing every last second of your shift to drag by like molasses. Almost. You're almost free when the bartender abruptly stops you. 

"I need you to stay and close up for me," he's not telling; he's ordering, "I need to tend to a family matter."

Before you can utter a word, the door is slamming shut, echoing through the unfamiliar, empty saloon. So quiet that you can hear the faint breathy noise that leaves your outlaw. Even the sound the lock makes as you slide it closed sounds far too loud.

"So watcha fixin' to do now, little wolf?" 

A tiny shiver runs up your spine. 

Ugh, wait, no, that's not something he's allowed to elicit out of you yet. 

"I 'oughta rip those iron bars off the wall and kick your ass," growling, you turn to face him, eyes ablaze with something new. Something that only Rhett Abbott does not fear. "How am I supposed to get you out of this one?"

Rhett taps on the bars with his boot, "rip these off the wall and kick my ass."

The twitching of your tightly-wound muscles threatens to do just that, but that creates noise. Noise attracts nosey onlookers. Nosey onlookers attract men with firearms; you'd like to avoid getting a scar on your other hip.

Or right between the eyes, for that matter.

Boots click across the floor as you approach his cell, heart hammering a little heavier with every step. All it could take is one wayward visitor to see you interacting with the outlaw, and your plan will be foiled. But you can't help it. It's been three weeks since the last time you've see his face. 

Your hand shakes worse than the lumberjacks when you reach through the bars, only steadied by the scruffy cheek that leans into it. It's hard to believe that this is where he's been this whole time, and not...

"We were almost out of there," kissing your wrist, "we had the money, but then Perry—"

"Perry caused this?" That lying, good-for-nothing moron. "He told me he didn't know what happened to you."

Dryly, Rhett laughs, "he outta know. He's the sidewinder that pulled a LeMat on Trevor when he didn't need to." 

And if that's not enough to get a rise out of you, you don't know what will. Liquid fire bubbling in your veins, threatening to take over if you don't get a handle on it soon. It collects in your ears, joints, and tailbone, tingling as the blood there begins to boil. 

"I hid the money in the old milk crate by the well," all this, and he's still managed to get away with the money. "All we need to do is break outta here, pick it up, and we're set."

"Set until when?" His hair is tangled, catching on your fingers when they try to run through it, "until the next time Perry asks you to help him rob someone?"

Those perfect features contort, smile falling, eyes searching your expression, "what do you mean?"

"I thought you were dead," your voice breaking, as watery as your eyes, "do you know how fucking horrible that feels? To watch the clock pass the time you were supposed to be home?"

Rhett's gaze drops to your hip, reaching out to touch it. Palm so warm that you can feel it radiating through your clothing. "I'm sorry."

"Sorry isn't what I'm looking for, Rhett," how are you meant to sound serious when you've every reason in the world to melt into a puddle of tears? "I don't—we can't keep doing this. One of these days, one of us isn't going to make it, and what then?"

His hand tightens, stopping you from moving away. 

"What happens to that family you've always promised we'll have?" This isn't the time nor the place to be discussing matters such as these, but now that the dam has broken, your mouth can't stop moving. "Or what happens to the poor bastard that has to suffer through losing their partner over some fucking money?" 

By the time your words have stopped, you've become breathless, so worked up that you've forgotten to take a breath.

Rhett's silent, but you can hear the gears turning in his head as he processes your words with care. Each syllable carefully wrapped and understood. A new habit developed after he mistook your words during an argument a few months ago. 

But then he stands, reaches through the bars, and pulls you into him the best that he can. This old iron makes this hug the chilliest one you've ever felt, but the kiss pressed into your temple threatens to change that. 

"We won't have to do this again," he says, after a while, "there's more than enough money to get us by for the rest of our lives." 

You're about to speak, but he's already heard the words that lie unspoken on your tongue.

"As soon as we're out of here," Rhett's hands curl around your cheeks, cradling them like glass. You nod. "I promise I'll give you every bit of that lil' family you've been wantin'."

Weak, you blink until your vision is no longer blurry, "even if I want eleven kids?"

"You scare me," he chuckles, "but if you want eleven, then I'll give you eleven."

And you'd kiss him, but he's talking again.

"On one condition," stealing a chaste peck from your lips, reading your mind so, so easily, "you gotta quit tellin' everyone I'm dead."

Beaming, you lean up to catch him again, savoring how those chapped lips feel against your own, bitten and swollen, "I think I can live with that." 

Voices echo just outside of the building; men, multiple of them, maybe five or six. An icy hand grips your heart like a vice. Squeezing. Sending snow flurries tumbling through your body. Shit, shit, shit. 

The bartender's coming back. 

"I don't—" tripping over your own tongue, "do I? Now?"

"If you think you can do it quick enough," but he already knows you can because he's stepping back before his sentence is finished. 

But that ice has already settled in, and as you pull on these thick, cold bars, you find that you've got the key in the ignition, but you can't turn it. Again. Harder this time. An old engine in your gut twitching and grinding as it attempts to start. No dice.

A tingle is settling into the tips of your ears. Familiar. Telling. You've almost, almost got it. Metal groans as it distorts. Muscles trembling with the effort of it all. But you can only move them an inch at best. Not enough for Rhett to squeeze through.

The front door handle rattles. 

"Hold on," licking the pads of his index and middle fingers, he reaches behind your neck. Wet fingers find two pressure points at the base of where your neck meets your skull, pressing down. 

A shiver ripples down your back. Shaking pools of fire from the crevices of your spine, flooding your bloodstream until your eyes glow with it. Is that your heart or a heavy fist beating on the front door? You can't tell.

That old iron squeals as you bend it. Ears pinned. Jaw clenched under the strain of it. 

Ears pinned.

Shit.

"Maybe I gave you a little too much juice," rambling, Rhett squeezes through the gap you've created. He just barely fits through, "how long?"

Something heavier strikes the front door as you scurry out the back; you've no idea where you're going. Have no memory of when Rhett grabbed your rapidly warming hand. Winding past corner after corner, a maze that doesn't guarantee a safe exit. With every step, your heart rises higher into your throat. Fragile; one wrong move, and you'll burst. Every inch of your skin tingles, invisible pins and needles prodding at you. 

"Few seconds," your voice is already fading. 

Wood splinters as you take a hard right. Racing down a hallway that's identical to the one you were just in. Are you going the right way? How is Rhett so sure that you're supposed to go left here?

Joints are starting to swell. Difficult to move, like they've been filled with putty. In your mouth, your tongue feels too large, so heavy that you can't form a word. 

Rounding another corner, your vision begins to collect with spots. Static clouding your vision. Foreign voices are yelling for you to stop. Rhett's saying something about 'this is the one, this is the door'. And it doesn't matter if this is the door or not.

because you can't stop moving.

Your shoulder hits something heavy. It should hurt. You know it should. But the feeling is lost to the overwhelming ringing in your ears as you burst out the door. Muscles shift. Bones crack as something familiar washes through your body. 

Time stops. 

Or at least, it feels like it does. Hyperaware of every little pop and crackle of bone and muscle, how delicious it feels to stretch these muscles after weeks of disuse. 

The next time your eyes open, your view of the world has shifted. Higher than before, too aware of the newly formed snout in front of you. 

"Come on," someone's tugging on the leather harness around your torso; Rhett, "come on!"

Stumbling over your own four feet, you start to move, racing alongside him toward the back of the building. It's a straight shot out of town from here. You can come back for the money in the milk crate—

something whizzes past your ear. 

No, no, no, that's the Sherriff. 

Spinning on your heels. Turning back. Rhett skitters past you. Unable to come to a stop. Fuck, fuck, fuck. People are spilling out of their homes. Men, women, and children alike. All to watch the spectacle of a wolf and an outlaw. Fuck, fuck, fuck, where do you go?

Your answer comes in the form of a tug on your harness, a familiar weight settling on your back. There is only one man on this earth who is crazy enough to climb on top of a wolf. Firm legs squeeze on your ribcage. 

Forward. 

Blindly, you follow his lead, unsure of where he's sending you. Dirt kicks up under your feet, sending a plume of it floating through the air like a veil. The main stretch of town isn't but five paces ahead of you. 

There's pressure on your left.

Veering in that direction, a stray bullet whizzes overhead. The tip of your left ear begins to sting. It's impossible to focus on. Not when your sharpened gaze fixates upon a familiar grey cowboy hat. There's a face you don't want to see.

"Perry?" Rhett echoes your thoughts.

A tacky button-up jumps out in front of you. Arms outstretched. Rhett's weight shifts left. Heavy enough to send you moving leftward too. The man's fingertips graze your flank. Nothing more. 

"Stop!" Perry's shouting, waving his hands above his head, "stop!"

Rhett's ears aren't sharp enough to pick up on it. You're unsure if he'd listen, even if he could hear that far. The fragments of a buckshot squeal past. Once on your right. Then overhead. Perry's not moving. Rhett's not telling you to stop.

Five strides away. Raising your head uncomfortably high.

Four. Bracing for impact.

Three.

Perry realizes your intentions too late. His head knocks painfully against your breastbone. Knocks the breath from your lungs. With an audible thunk, his back hits the ground. Below your feet, his body is surprisingly squishy. 

If anyone asks, you didn't realize he was there.

By the time you stumble into another town, dark has fallen. You've long since returned to your former body, dressed in nothing but Rhett's button-down. The remnants of your dress are nothing but tatters, clinging to your exhausted frame. Had you known you'd be doing this, you would have planted a bag of clothes to pick up on your getaway. 

"Have those ears gone down, Princess?" Rhett's hands squeeze your naked thighs, where they're wrapped snuggly around his hips. 

The left one twitches; God, that's sore. "Not yet," though you're hesitant for them to morph back. Still processing that you're now missing the tip of your left ear. 

It's hard to miss the big 'Hotel' sign that displays proudly at the edge of town, just as visible as Perry had been when you ran him over. You hope you broke a few of his ribs. Maybe an arm. Something he'll have to live with the pain of.

"Tail?" His question is met with a swift thump from the foreign appendage right against the curve of his ass. 

Squirming, you pull yourself a little higher, eager to leech off more of his body heat. Your chin is sore from resting on his hard shoulder, and there's only one other place you know to rest your head.

"What're you doin'?" Rhett's words are slightly distorted from how you've squished your cheek against his, rough stubble tickling your sensitive skin. 

"Capitalizing on the situation," shivering at the breeze that wanders under your meager clothing, "you haven't cuddled me in three weeks, mister." 

That get's him; it always does. 

Dramatic, he rubs his cheek against yours, grinning when you giggle and return the motion. Every second of it is worth the irritation it may cause to your skin later; it's been so long since you've seen those hooded eyes crinkle, can't remember the last time you got lost in the sea of those ocean blues. 

Just before reaching the hotel, Rhett stops, "think those little legs can hold ya up now?" Even though he's asking it, he lets you squirm down from his back. There's only one way to find—

your ass hits the dirt. Tail pinned between you and the ground, each and every muscle in your legs cramping. This whole wolf thing was a design flaw.

"Guess I got my answer," as if you weigh nothing, Rhett scoops you back up, cradling you in his arms. Limp, your legs dangle, skin twitching with the worst of the cramps. In hindsight, maybe you should have at least stretched before you, and your husband decided to play horse and cowboy. 

"Are you about to put me between these shrubs?" You chirp, painfully aware of the answer. 

"Yes, ma'am," placing you between the two towering plants, he ruffles your ears, the motion flopping them back and forth, "can't have no outlaws gettin' ahold of ya, now can I?"

He doesn't leave you there for too long. But it gives you enough time to fully take in your surroundings. This town is large, you've barely even seen a quarter of it, but it's uniquely quiet. Residents have long since tucked into their beds, ready for tomorrow to come. The only sign of life is the light that peers through the windows of the local saloon, a muffled piano playing, accompanied by the cheers of a couple of men singing about a ball of fire.

They seem to be having a great time.

"Room eighty-six," Rhett announces, and to any onlookers, they'd probably think he's talking to a bush, "you look mighty cozy down here." 

"Man," pouting as he scoops you up again, "I was just starting to make friends with these guys."

There's nothing quite like the struggle of trying to unlock a door while you're being carried like a bride, but you make it work. Only dropping the key when you're halfway into the room. 

The next thing you're aware of is your body soaring through the air. Stomach curdling as you fall into the soft mattress, surrounded by the fluffy comforter. 

"Did you just throw me?" Incredulous, you sit up, mouth agape. 

That shit-eating grin of his is all the proof you need; guilty as charged, "What can I say? You're the perfect size for tossin' on beds."

Your ears flatten against your head, "quit calling me little."

Bending down to meet your eye, Rhett reaches out with a singular index finger. You know it's coming, but you're too stunned to dodge it.

The asshole bops you right on the nose.

"But you're my little wolf," he says it so innocently that you nearly drop the argument right here and now. 

Your legs may be out of order for the time being, but there is no amount of exhaustion that can stop you from grabbing the collar of his shirt and yanking him down, falling into a messy heap on the bed. Devilish hands dance at your sides in perfect unison with his laughter.

"Big mistake, darlin'," placing big, wet kisses against your exposed neck, making you squeal. 

Heels digging into the bed, you try to push yourself out from under him. Those tired muscles are giving it everything they've got, slipping out from his grasp with surprising speed as you roll over onto your belly. You've still got some fight left in you.

"Ah, ah, ah," he tuts, and his hands catch on your harness, yanking you right back down, "where you think you're goin'?"

Fuck this stupid fucking enchanted harness. You knew it would bite you in the ass one of these days. Floundering only makes it worse; because he takes hold of the base of that flailing tail of yours and squeezes. 

The gasp that it wrenches out of you is so instinctive that you hardly realize it was you who made the noise.

"Sweet, sweet little wolf," there's pressure between your shoulder blades, pushing you into the mattress. Ass in the air, all for him to see. "Look at you, so fuckin' pretty in my shirt."

It's hard to miss how he makes sure to tuck your tail between your legs when he leans down to rest his body against yours. There has only been one instance where he hurt you by trapping it between your bodies, but he's made sure never to let it happen again. Wet kisses pepper over your neck, sucking gently beneath your ear in that annoying fashion that makes heat blossom in your core.

"Rhett—" 

"Y'can play coy all you want," teeth nipping where ear meets skin, "but that little tail's a waggin'." Curse your instincts.

Canting your hips back into his, you crane your neck to the side, swallowing his groan with a kiss. The angle strains your neck, not made to be turned in such a way, but you can hardly focus on it. Rhett's lips taste like heaven, entertaining so delicately with yours that it quiets all the noise rattling around your head.

"You'd best be careful with those hips of yours," he grumbles, though there's no attempt to stop you from blatantly grinding on his rapidly hardening cock, "or I might wind up givin' you that baby earlier than you thought."

Your tail smacks his inner thigh. "Maybe that's what I was wanting you to do."

And that is the last thing you say before your back is hitting the bed again, head spinning to catch up. The moment your thighs part, he's settling between them, hips forcing them wide. Oh, it's been so long since the last time you've felt that pressure between your legs, old jeans rubbing against what little of your panties remain. 

"Yeah?" God, those eyes have nearly gone black, "that what you want me to give ya?"

Nod.

For a hot, burning second, he's quiet; you can practically see those gears turning in his head. Did he just realize you were being serious?

He grabs the edge of a pillow. "Lift your hips." You don't know what for, but you obey.

Oh.

The pillow feels strange beneath your hips, forcing your back into the most delicate of arches, putting you on display for his greedy eyes to swallow up. The pillow is pretty flat, but it feels massive at this angle. 

You hardly expect the gentleness that comes with this. How carefully Rhett comes to lay on top of you, tummies pressed together as he drowns you in another kiss. Fitting against you so perfectly, shoulders just broad enough to cage you in, hands that know you like when he rubs behind your ear. You're far from a feline, but he just about makes you purr against his lips. 

Nothing can stop you from tangling your fingers in the curls that rest against his neck, drinking in that heavy grumble as his mouth opens to yours. A little swipe of his tongue against yours, retreating, before he comes back even bolder, tilting his head to the side to properly explore you.

Nails bite into his shoulders as hips grind against yours, jean-clad cock so close to where you want him. Taunting enough to make your head spin with want and need.

Then he's leaning back, peeling that white t-shirt from his body, distracting your hungry eyes with miles upon miles of perfect, milky-white muscle. The curve of his pectoral fits perfectly in your hand, jumping when you flick your thumb over a dusky pink nipple. 

"Don't know why we even kept these on ya," one little pull is all it takes for the fabric of your panties to give way, mere shreds of what once was. 

It's almost strange not to see him fumble with one of his gaudy bull rider buckles, too big for practicality but not big enough to carry the smugness of placing number one in this past season. Just big enough to confine the heavy cock that falls free as he steps out of his jeans, smacking against his thigh.

"'ts the matter?" Cocky as ever, "fixin' to start droolin'?"

"Uhuh," shameless. Absolutely fucking shameless. Shaken into a stupor over the sight. 

A wandering index finger slides up between your folds, glistening in the poor lighting of this hotel room, and rises to Rhett's thin lips. He smiles at your taste.

That dripping head nudges against your entrance, applying enough pressure to feel you flutter but not enough to press in. On their own, your hips squirm, changing the angle and letting him slide up between your lips. Oh, that's—that's different.

"'Dya like that?" Tentative, he does it again, length messaging your neglected, swollen clit. "That tail of yours is just a goin'." 

All on its own, it thumps back and forth between his thighs, unable to get a full swing in. One of these days, you'll remember to control it, but today isn't that day. How are you meant to stop when he chuckles at how it's tickling him?

"What would you do if my tail weren't there to tell you what I liked?" Intentionally flicking it up to smack against his heavy balls. God, how his breath hitches at that. 

Your smug satisfaction is short-lived, cut off by the blunt mushroom tip that pushes into you, forcing your lips to part with a gasp. Completely bare, raw, withnothing there to stop him from delivering upon that promise he made. You've done it like this before, but something about the intent makes it feel so much different. 

"Fuck," bracing his weight with his right hand, planted next to your head, while his left traces the stretch of your quivering entrance. You can only imagine how obscene this must look from his perspective; those eyes shamelessly fixated on how he disappears inside. 

Easing into you inch by inch is an overstatement because Rhett's moving millimeter by excruciatingly slow millimeter. And you are going to lose your ever-loving mind if he doesn't hurry up.

"Patience, wolf," he hisses, although, by the sounds of it, he's struggling with the concept of patience himself, "don't want you sore for the next round."

Blink. 

Double blink.

"What?" Leaning all the way down now, forearms caging you in as he touches the tips of your noses together, "don't tell me you thought I'd only cum in you once, darlin'."

Riled up by his own words, he slides deeper, quicker, fat head nudging against a little bundle of nerves on its way past. It's impossible to stop the high-pitched whine that ripples up from your chest, spasming around him as his hips become flush with your own. 

"At this rate," you're trying to hit him with your tail again, but it's disappeared; only those expressive ears remain, perked high on your head, "we'll be dead by round two."

Rhett's not the wolf here, but he's the first to growl. You know you've gotten into his head when he wrenches his hips back, leaving you so abruptly empty that you worry he's pulled out completely. Only for him to slide back in so fucking slowly. Has you squirming by the time you feel his swollen balls meet with your ass again.

"So tight for me, sweetie, fuck, you feel good," starting to work his hips properly now, still irrationally slow, each meeting of your hips so sharp that the room resonates with the sound of your bodies smacking together. "Y'like that? All nice and slow?"

Whimpering, you nod, hands smoothing up his biceps and across his shoulders, nails biting into what skin they can get ahold of. Careful not to draw blood, though Rhett's never complained about having any more marks added to the catalog of scars he carries.

"Can you tell—" cut short by a thrust that rips the words right out of your mouth, "can you tell that I haven't been fucked in a while?"

As if to return for the way your nails are raking down his back, he nips at your jaw, tugging the skin between his pearly white teeth, "believe me, you ain't goin' that — oh, that fuckin' long ever again."

Soothing over the freshly bitten area with a kiss, Rhett leans back onto his haunches. Big hands seizing each of your thighs, guiding them up until your legs are properly hitched on his broad shoulders. 

"I know I said I was goin' slow," his eyes fluttering as he picks up his pace, "but I can't hold back when it comes to this cute little pussy of yours."

The pillow is doing you no favors, tilting your hips to the perfect angle as he starts to fuck you in earnest. Nothing can stop the way he massages that gooey spot that never fails to make you whine into the open air, your sounds dancing with the deep, guttural sounds you're downright milking from the cowboy. 

A calloused thumb nudges past your parted lips, pacifying your cries as you suck on it, working the pad of it like you would the head of his cock.

"That's a good girl," his praise makes your ears flutter with pride; your tail is back by its own accord, wagging double-time like you're a goddamn labrador, "so sweet for me."

Those grunted words travel directly between your legs, heat stirring as you feel yourself grow wetter. Even more so when he plucks his thumb from your lips and begins to work over your neglected clit, rubbing the swollen little button in tight little circles that never give you a chance to recover. You've nothing but the sheets to ground yourself with, clutching the fabric so tightly that you fear they'll rip.

"Look at you, little wolf," he marvels, in absolute awe of the sight below him, "fuck, you're gonna look so beautiful, all swollen with our baby."

You can't tell if it's due to his words or the slight change in angles, plush head kissing a certain little bundle of words, but whatever it is, it's got your legs trembling around Rhett's shoulders. They can hardly stay up, shaking so hard that they slip right off. Only allowing Rhett to come back down to meet your lips, giving you no escape from how his cock plows right into you.

"Gonna fill this little pussy of yours up with my cum," and that's not just a warning that he's murmuring against your mouth; it's a promise, "over and over, until your cunt is so swollen and sore that you can't take any fuckin' more of me."

Humming, you force your quivering legs to hook around his hips, heels digging into his ass, "please, Rhett—ah~!" That thumb is spinning harder against your clit. Too much, too much, but not fucking enough. 

"Jus' keep takin' my cock for me," the motion of his hips are becoming unstable, falling out of their rhythm, "'m breed you like y've been beggin' me to."

And he doesn't need to tell you he's close; those breathy little grunts are enough of a sign all on their own. Each whispered, thrown-away obscenity kindling the fire that's growing in your core, cinching you tighter and tighter around his fat length. His thumb is falling off your clit, gripping your hip to prevent you from sliding up the bed, but that doesn't matter.

Teeth sinking into that pretty collarbone, clenching and unclenching around him. Electricity rippling from the tips of your toes up to where he's ruining you, your eyes fluttering into the back of your head as you cum around his cock. Muscles tighten, trembling so hard that you can feel the shockwaves up in the tips of your ears. 

So completely, utterly lost in the abyss of it all that the shaky moans you're working out of Rhett feel like heaven. His hips stall as an unfamiliar heat spurts against your swollen walls, filling you so, so well.

You can't move as your orgasm leaves; it takes all of your energy with it. So exhausted that it takes you a moment to hear the 'I love you's that Rhett is whispering into your skin, following each reminder with a chaste kiss. 

"Y'still with me, little wolf?"

Weakly, you nod, "uhuh."

That earns you an amused chuckle that shakes his whole body, reminding you of the length that's still lodged deep inside of you. Your eyes flicker to where your bodies meet; how obscene it looks to be split open on him, even after you've both cum.

"G'na stay in you," running his thumb against your cheek, Rhett smiles with all the sweetness of a pound of sugar, "can't risk any drippin' out, now, can we?"

"I can handle a little risk," flicking your tail up to smack him in the ass, can't help but laugh when he jumps, "just means you'll have to cum in me again."

Rhett rolls his eyes so hard that he winds up giving himself a migraine.

"Excuse you."

Rhett stops in his tracks, a deer in headlights, as he peeks back around the corner, "did I knock another pillow out your nest?"

No, your pillows are all accounted for, and so are your blankets and the box of snacks by the freshly built bedside table. You're not worried about those, even in the slightest. The silence only serves to make your husband nervous, placing the cardboard box he's carrying onto the floor.

"Darlin'?"

It's impossible to fight the shit-eating grin that spreads across your face, "come here."

He's got no idea what you're summoning him for, but those shoulders visibly drop as he crosses the room. Clueless as you take his big hand and guide it to your swollen belly. 

Those eyes of his go comically wide. "Good lord, 'r those little bank robbers havin' a brawl in there?" God, you hope they have his eyes.

"They've been keeping me up ever since you left," you'd roll onto your back, but you're genuinely concerned about what organs they'd crush, "make your kids quit heckling me."

There's that laugh you were looking for, so completely amused by the little kicks against your poor belly. He's got nothing to say, too busy leaning down to press kisses to your tummy, chuckling with every unruly kick. There's no telling how many are in there; Rhett's thinking two, but you're concerned that there's a third hiding next to your liver. Or, it could be just one very, very unruly baby with just as much rebelliousness in them as their father.

"I know y'ain't fixin' to listen to me," he says, in between kisses, "but please quit kickin' the over lovin' hell out of your momma's belly."

Another kick. You think that one was aimed at his nose.

"We've got our work cut out for us," your words strained around a yawn, watching contentedly as he settles down next to you. 

It's hard to cuddle when you're this pregnant, but Rhett's figured out how to comfortably make it work. Foreheads pressed together, one hand reaching over to rub the back of your neck, ghosting over your ear on its way. It's a strange feeling; you don't think you'll ever adjust to having the tip of it missing.

"Can't be any worse than what adventures we used to get up to," can robbing the wealthy be compared to raising children? 

Another yawn overtakes you, lasting so long that those damned wolf ears spring out. Curse pregnancy and making it so easy to shift forms that you do it by accident.

"I hope they get your little wolf thing," Rhett muses, scratching behind them, "I can hear the little tails thumpin' already."

That...might be your own tail that he's hearing. Thumping away against the mattress, such a common thing as of late. In the past, it would have bugged you, but Rhett loves it so much that you can't hate it. 

"Do you want me to stay and take a nap with you?" 

Practically purring, you nod, "you just read my mind."

You can't reach your favorite blanket, a fluffy, pale pink thing that was given to you by the elderly couple next door. Rhett's got it, pulling the material up over your exhausted frame and tucking it in. The wife really wasn't kidding when she said it was the perfect thing to snuggle up in, warm but not too much so. 

Rhett's chest is the perfect pillow to snuggle up in; big, inviting and made just for you. He presses a kiss to your forehead, "I'll be here when you wake up, little wolf."

"Thank you, Mister Outlaw."

[footprintsinthesxnd]

Bad News

Pairings:Rhett abbot x reader

Warnings: mention of car accident, injuries

Thank you once again to the amazing @callsign-phoenix for proofreading for me.

This is my first Outer Range fic I’ve written and I was a planning on it having a part 2 but we will see. Let me know if you’d like me to do anymore parts.

You’d been sitting in a lay-by for the last hour with your coworker. It had been a quiet shift so far, with no calls, which was unusual for a Saturday night in Wabang. You’d only had one call so far and that was just to patch up some guys after a bar fight. Only 2 hours left and then you’d be finished for the weekend.

“Ugh, I hate waiting around,” Jen, your partner, said next to you, stretching out her arms over the steering wheel of the ambulance. “I feel like I’m on edge the whole time. 10 years I’ve been doing this and it still never gets any better.”

You laughed, taking a sip from your coke can. “Yeah, I know what you mean. I hate waiting for something to happen.” You continued talking when a voice came through over the radio.

“We have a category one call. I repeat a category one call. An RTC just off the highway heading east. Two-car collision with 4 casualties. Are any units free to respond? I repeat, are there any units?”

“Guess that’s for us,” Jen said, picking up the radio. “Unit 402 responding.”

“Duty calls,” you said, doing up your seatbelt, as Jen pulled out onto the highway. You weren’t far from the accident and arrived in no time, the blue lights of the sheriff's cars illuminating the scene. As you approached a man stood in the middle of the road, waving his arms frantically. As you came closer, you saw his face illuminated in the headlights. “Perry,” you whispered, leaning forward onto the dashboard. “Oh my god, Perry!”

Before Jen had even stopped the vehicle you were out of the door and running towards him. “Perry, what happened? Where’s Rhett?” You asked frantically.

“No no no (y/n). What are you doing here? You're not… you’re not meant to be here. You can’t. Rhett said you were off the weekend.”

Perry looked panicked, he had a large gash across his forehead and he was holding onto his ribs.

“I… I swapped shifts so I’d be off with Rhett for his ride next week. I…” you stammered, adrenaline running through your veins. You composed yourself, you were here to do a job. “Perry, who is hurt? What happened?”

“Umm well, it was dark. Rhett and I were coming back from the bar and it was out of nowhere, I don’t know how… it was the Tillersons, they came out of nowhere and hit us and the truck flipped… I,” he gulped and ran a hand over his tear-stained face. “Rhett was driving and I…”

“No. No, he can’t,” you cried, trying to push past Perry who was holding you back, despite his injured arm.

“(Y/n)? What’s happening?” Jen came up behind you with both of your medical bags.

You stared at her, too shocked to speak.

“It’s Rhett,” Perry explained the situation to Jen, who nodded before making her way over to Rhett’s truck.

“(Y/n), I want you to go and check the Tillerson boys, ok? You can’t be dealing with Rhett, alrigh?. I’ll call for another team, and as soon as they are here you can be with him. Perry, go sit in the back of the ambulance.”

You froze for a moment before snapping back to reality and heading over to the other truck. Both the Tillerson boys had gotten away with light scratches and bruises. The police were already talking to the boys when you reached them. Sheriff Joy Hawk greeted you. You assessed Luke and Billy whilst she questioned them, you bit your tongue as they made up excuses. As you were cleaning the last of their wounds the second ambulance team turned up.

“You’re all done. You need to go to the hospital for an assessment, just to make sure. You can go in the second ambulance.” You grabbed your bag and as you walked away you turned back to look at them. “I swear to god if anything happens to my husband I will never forgive you.”

As you stood up Joy pulled you in for a tight hug. “It’s going to be ok (y/n). They’re not going to get away with this. I promise.”

You nodded at her as you sniffed, wiping your nose. “I, umm… I need to be with Rhett.”

Joy nodded, letting go of your shoulders and you turned to make your way over to the second ambulance.

You explained to the other EMTs what had happened and one of them went over to help Jen, while the other went to help the Tillersons into the vehicle. You reached the ambulance where Perry was sitting, his knee bouncing nervously. “You ok, Perry?” You asked him as you assessed the wound on his head and helped him put his right arm into a sling, it was almost certainly broken.

“I’m so sorry, (y/n).” He started sobbing. “I’m so sorry I didn’t look after him.”

“Perry. Perry listen to me, this is not your fault. I do not blame you and neither will Rhett. I promise you. But I need you to be strong now, ok? I need you to be strong for Rhett and I need you to be strong for me. Can you do that for me, Perry?” You asked, holding onto your brother-in law’s shoulder.

“Ok,” he mumbled.

“Ok good. Now I’m going to help the others with Rhett, ok? Just stay here and wait for us.” You picked up your bag and headed over to his truck.

As you approached Rhett’s truck Jen and the other EMT already had Rhett on a stretcher, neck brace secured and a tourniquet around his leg, above where a large shard of glass was protruding from his thigh. He had a large gash on the side of his head and his nose had been bleeding. He looked a mess and as you made eye contact with Jen you could tell it was bad.

“How bad is it, Jen?” You asked, lip quivering as the tears that had been building up threatened to fall.

“He has extensive bruises across his abdomen and multiple stab wounds where the glass shattered. (Y/n), I’m concerned he may also have a spinal injury, but we need to get him to the hospital ASAP so they can assess him further.” She nodded her head towards the second ambulance. “(Y/n), I think you should ride with the Tillersons in the other ambulance, I don’t think you should be involved with Rhett, ok, love? As soon as we get to the hospital you can be there for him as his family.”

You tried to protest but you knew she was right, you wouldn’t be thinking straight if you were looking after Rhett.

“Ok,” you gulped back the tears that were threatening to fall as you watched the love of your life secured in the back of the ambulance.

“I’ll be there with him, (y/n). I promise.” Perry said, placing a hand on your shoulder, it was his turn to comfort you.

“Thanks, Per,” you said, watching as Jen ushered Perry into the back before closing the door. She gave you a reassuring smile before going around to the driver's side. You made your way over to the other ambulance.

The trip to the hospital was silent. The other EMT, who you learned was called Ben, tried to make conversation where he could but you just didn’t feel like talking. Jen had messaged you when Rhett had been taken in and it seemed like an age before you reached them.

As soon as the ambulance pulled up outside you were out and heading straight to the front desk. The nurse directed you to where Rhett had been taken and when you reached the unit the doctor in charge told you he had been taken to surgery due to internal bleeding. His X-rays had shown that his collar bone was broken and his right leg was fractured, he also had multiple broken ribs and they were concerned he had spinal damage but couldn’t know for sure until the swelling went down. You were ushered to the waiting room where you joined Perry.

You sat in silence, Perry hugging you close as you cried. How could this be happening? You and Rhett had been married for 6 months and you had so many plans ahead of you. Only the other morning you were talking about having a baby. The wait felt like forever, your mind racing with the events of the evening. Perry had gone to get you both a coffee and his parents who said they would be there as soon as they could. Not long after he returned a doctor appeared. He approached you slowly, a solemn look on his face.

“Mrs Abbott, I’m afraid I have some bad news.”

Tag list: @callsign-phoenix @blue-aconite @imjess-themess @a-reader-and-a-writer @mayhem24-7forever @green-socks @hederasgarden

[chemicalalice]

Fic: Family Affairs - Kinktober Day 5 - Breeding Kink

Title: Family Affairs

Summary: Family drama threatens to destroy what little Luke has with you

Pairing: Luke Tillerson x female!Reader

Warnings: unprotected PinV sex, swearing, dirty talk, breeding kink, mentions of pregnancy. Please be mindful of yourself and do not read if this content bothers you. 18+ only!

Word count: 4140

AN: I feel like the drama between the Tillersons and the Abbotts in Outer Range is the perfect 'star crossed lovers' set up. So of course I had to try my hand at it. And have two gifs just because.

Luke Tillerson had been in love with you since before he knew what love was. And even before then, he always craved your attention; good or bad. He couldn't count the number of pigtails he pulled, both literally and figuratively, just to have you look at him.

He was in love with you, and wanted to scream it to the world. Instead he had to sneak around and pretend like you meant nothing to him; all because of the dislike your fathers held for one another.

You were the only daughter Royal had, so it made sense that you would be a daddy's girl. It didn't matter how old you got, you would always be the man's little girl. Having two protective older brothers didn't help matters much either. It wasn't the black eye or broken nose he knew he would get if Rhett found out Luke was sleeping with his baby sister. You respected your father and brothers, respected what they had to say. It was the fear that they would be able to convince you not to see him anymore that had him desperate to keep your relationship from your families.

The situation bred a lot of insecurity in him. You were a beautiful woman, and that beauty didn't just run skin deep. You were smart as hell, loyal to a fault, and kind as all get out. Luke, on the other hand, was more uptight and reserved. He knew he was good looking and could turn on the charm when he needed to, but it didn't come naturally to him. He had always been all business. Women preferred the smooth seduction of Trevor, or even the awkward boyish charm of Billy, over him. Luke had always been the consolation prize, and he knew even then it was because of the sizable bank account that came attached to the Tillerson name.

You were different, though. You couldn't care less about money, or his name. You had always seen Luke for who he was. So far, it had been enough for you. He had been enough for you. But he felt like he was living on borrowed time. One day you would wake up and realize that you wanted more than stolen moments with son of your father's enemy; and that there were plenty of men ready to provided. Men who smiled easier and worked less. Men who were better at telling you how much you drove them crazy; how much you truly meant to them.

He did his best to keep things calm, if frosty, between the two families. Because when things got stirred up between the Abbott and Tillerson patriarchs, it was even more difficult to see you. Unfortunately, it couldn't get more stirred than when Wayne Tillerson made a grab for Royal's land. It may have been just business for the Tillerson's, but for you, land and family went hand and hand.

The look of fury you had shot him over that fence when he and his brothers had driven out to turn over the county assessment to your father had killed him. And all he could do was stand there, helpless, as his brother mouthed off like the asshole he was.

You had spat at Trevor's feet, mounted up and ridden off, Trevor hollering after you to give him a call if you needed to work off any steam. Trevor had always had a thing for you, but what he really loved was how his obvious interest pissed Rhett off even more. The clench of Royal's fists at his side indicated he didn't much like Trevor's disrespect of his daughter anymore than Rhett did. Luke felt sick to his stomach as he tried to smooth things over after that exchange, all the while feeling like as big of an asshole as his brother was.

You didn't respond to the text he sent when he got back to the house. He wasn't surprised. Disappointed, but not surprised. But when the next twenty texts and five calls he made over the following three days also went unanswered, he had to fight back the acid that had started to churn in his gut. He wanted to drive over and pound on your door; to demand that you talk to him; to give him a chance to talk to his father, or at least not hold him responsible for his father's actions.

He wanted to give you the space he knew you needed, but when the following Friday rolled around and he saw you at the bar, his resolve wore thin.

Your white shirt was tinged pink from the glow of the bar lights, and Luke watched as you laughed, head tipped back, with Maria and none other than Jake Sutton. Luke's knuckles turned white when his grip on his beer bottle tightened as he took in the scene before him, and he missed the knowing look in Billy's eyes.

Jake was another one of your long time admirers and a rodeo friend of Rhett's. He was tall, fit, and almost as filthy rich as Luke himself. And, perhaps most importantly of all, he was a good guy. If you put Jack and Luke side by side, it wouldn't take a genius to see who the real catch was.

Jake's hand came to rest on the small of your back and Luke shot up, the scrap of his chair against the wood floor being drowned out by the loud music playing over head. The bile in his stomach rose.

"What the fuck is up with you?" Trevor drawled as he eyed his brother, his attention leaving his blonde companion's cleave for the first time that night.

"Gotta take a piss," Luke muttered. He made sure he passed direct behind you as he stormed to the bathroom but your eyes never left the man you were standing with.

Luke shoved open the bathroom door, not caring that it slammed shut behind him as he made his way to the sink. He curled his hands around the cool porcelain and dropped his head. He breathing was hard, and he took a moment to steady it before raising his head to stare at himself in the mirror.

How many times had you both been out at the same bar? You with your brothers and he with his. How many times had he watched men approach you, only to be turned away. How many times had he gone up to the bar for another drink just for the chance to stand next to you for few moment, to smell your perfume over the spilled beer, both of you pretending not to notice the other, simply because it was the only chance he would have to see you that day? It had been fine all those other times. It sucked, but it was ok; or at least bearable. Why did tonight feel so different?

You had assured him, time and time again, that he was the only one warming your bed. He had always believed you. But never before had there been a literal 600 acres of anger between you. And now you were letting Jake Sutton buy you a drink.

Luke didn't want to leave the bathroom. But he knew Billy would come looking for him if he was gone too long. And he told himself it was an accident, caused by a Friday night crowd, when he jostled Jake's shoulder as he made his way back to his table.

He didn't bother to pretend he wasn't watching you as he sat back down with his brothers. Trevor didn't remain much longer. He was leading the blonde out of the bar and Luke knew he wasn't going to see the man again until the next morning. Billy sat quietly with him, though; the other girls who had been at their table losing interest now that Trever was gone.

"Are you gonna go talk to her?" His younger brother finally asked.

"Talk to who?" Was Luke's gruff reply.

Billy rolled his eyes. "You know who."

"No, Billy, I don't." It was a stupid thing to say considering his eyes hadn't moved from you and Jake.

"I seen you two together once, you know? Awhile back. I ain't completely stupid Luke. And I know by the fact I ain't ever seen you with another woman that you are pretty damn serious about her."

"And how the fuck do you figure that, huh Billy? You seen us once, 'awhile back' and you think you know everything there is to know?" It wasn't fair that he was taking his anger out on Billy, of all people. But he had been on edge for days, and he felt like he was ready to snap. And now finding out his brother had known about you and Luke made him even angrier. If Billy knew, did anyone else?

Billy rocked back on the legs of his chair and crossed his arms across his chest, leveling and unimpressed look at his brother. "I'm sure because when ever Trevor makes some asshole comments about you not being interested in women, you still don't pick anyone up, even just to shut him up. And I'm sure because despite the fact that every single guy in the fucking county had been trying to get into her pants, she doesn't date anyone. Ever.

"Look man, I know why you feel like you need to keep things under wraps, and that this week probably fucked stuff up even more. But this shit is between the dad and Royal. And what they fuck do you care what Trevor and Rhett think anyway?"

Luke turned, finally, to face his brother, pain clear on his face. "She doesn't want people to know."

"Really? Have you really ever talked about it? Cause I get a feeling this is probably you and your hyper fixation on the need for control projecting what you think onto her."

Luke blinked as he stared across from his brother. He laid back, carefree brother who always had his head in the clouds. But before he could say anything, the familiar dopey grin was spreading across Billy's face. "Hey man, your probably right. What do I know. But I don't think Trevor is coming home tonight and you know I mind my own business so," a shrug, "whatever, right?"

Movement from across the bar drew Luke's attention back to you. Jake was leaning in, arm sliding from you back to wrap around your waist, pulling you closer to him as he leaned his head down to put his mouth against your ear. It didn't take a genius to figure out what was going on, what was being said.

Luke's chair scrapped against the floor for the second time that night as his jealousy and longing finally boiled over. He knew in his gut that tonight, for the first time in your life you weren't going to say no. And like fuck was he going to allow that to happen. Within second he was striding over, his hand falling heavily on your shoulder, not caring about the looks he was getting from the other bar patrons.

"We need to talk," he growled, forcing himself in between you and Jake.

You arched a brow. "No, Tillerson," and wasn't that just a slap to his face, "we don't."

"Hey man," Jake began and Luke held up a hand, eyes not leaving yours, to cut the man off.

"Please, sweetheart, don't do this. Just come outside, and let's talk." Sweetheart. It was out of his mouth before he realized it. Most guys threw it around like it meant nothing. The shy girl at the grocery store you wanted to make blush; the rodeo nurse; the cute girl at the bar they were trying to pick up. It meant nothing to most people. But he didn't use it with you. Not in public. You felt like the air was sucked out of the room, and when it returned, everything was going to be changed.

You slid from your stool, and laid a hand on Jake's arm when he began to protest. "It's fine Jake. I won't be gone long." It was a challenge, a taunt. An ominous promise that Luke didn't want to see play out. Wouldn't let play out.

And it was with striking clarity that he knew he wasn't going to let you go. Families be damned. He was in love with you. You were all he had ever wanted, and he was sick of hiding it.

He stood straighter, Tillerman confidence returning in a wave. You must have seen the sudden change, because when he reached out and grabbed your wrist, tugging you towards the door, you let him. And as his hand slipped down to yours, fingers tangling in plain view for most of Wabang to see, you let him.

The air was chilly as you left the bar, causing you to shiver slightly. You hadn't grabbed your jacket, but Luke didn't slow down until reached his truck and pulled open the passenger side door. "Get in."

You hesitated. It felt like a fork in the road. But what lay ahead on each path, you couldn't see. Luke's eyes were intense as he stared into yours. He was practically vibrating with tension and out of the corner of you eye you saw his fist clench. If in that moment he had reached for you, you knew you would have pushed him aside and went back in the bar, not willing to let any man think he could force you into anything. But his hand only twitched toward you before settling back at his side. The choice was entirely on you.

With what felt like agonizing slowness, you pulled yourself up into his truck. The door shut quickly behind you, signaling there was no way to change your mind.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Despite the years you has known him, you had never been inside the Tillerman house, let alone in Luke's bedroom. Now, you were perched awkwardly on the side of his bed, watching him pace back and forth in front of you. Part of you wanted to reach out to him. To comfort him. But the louder part of you, the Abbott part, wanted to make him suffer.

Deep down, you already knew you were ready to forgive him. Hell, deep down you knew none of it was his fault to begin with. But you were stubborn, and hurt; you weren't going to give him an inch.

He finally stopped and sunk down on the bed beside you. "I hate this."

"Yeah well, you aren't the one getting land stolen from you so..." It was a petty. But you didn't care.

"It's not- God!" He was up on his feet again, the pacing faster, angrier. He opened his mouth to speak but froze, his jaw snapping shut as he stared down you, and you tried no to fidget under his steady gaze.

It was like standing off with a mountain lion, and just like with a mountain lion, he was on you before you realized he had moved. The air was pushed out of your lungs under his weight as he forced you back on the bed, his mouth moving frantically over yours, hands buried in your hair, holding your head to his.

He reared back suddenly, reaching down and getting a grip on your outer thighs and hoisted you back further into the bed. His body covered your, arms caging you in as he kissed you again. You could feel his erection, hard against your thigh.

You really had wanted to talk. But you also knew that if that was truly what you had wanted, you should have stayed at the bar. Getting into his truck had been been unspoken permission for him to fuck you when you got to wherever he had been taking you. You both knew that. Maybe it was for the best. You two always did the best talking with your bodies.

His Hands were at your waist now, tugging at your shirt and separating from you long enough to pull it over you head. He unclipped your bra with one, practiced movement and that too was being tossed off the side of the bed.

His lips traveled from your mouth to your neck and down to your breasts, where he circled his tongue around one stiffened nipple, giving it slow suck before traveling to the other and repeating the process. When he began kissing down your stomach, you threaded your fingers in his hair and tugged him off of you, bringing his mouth back up to yours before you gripped the fronts of his shirt and ripped. You could hear the spray of buttons as they popped off his shirt and hit the floor. The shirt was probably new, probably cost close to a hundred bucks; you should have felt bad about ruining it, but at that moment all you wanted was to feel his skin against yours.

There was nothing romantic or seductive in the way you stripped each other of the remaining clothes. It was rough, frantic, and needy. When you were both naked he flipped you on your stomach and hauled your ass up into the air.

You had had your fair share of sexual partners when you were away at college, back before you returned to Wabang and whatever it was that had always hung between you and Luke turned serious. But he was hands down the best lover you had ever had. Your pleasure was his goal, and the amount of foreplay he engaged in, the amount of orgasms he would pull from your body before he even let you lay a finger on him always left you breathless.

Tonight, though, there was none of that. He had himself lined up and pushing into you as soon as you were up on your knees. It was easy; even though he had barely touched you, you were still soaking wet for him. You always were.

He didn't give you any time to adjust to the intrusion before he was thrusting roughly, he sound of his pelvis hitting you ass with each push filled the room, and the sound of his cock moving in your wet cunt had him cursing. "Jesus fucking Christ, I missed this pussy," he bit out. "Don't you ever fucking leave me on read like that again. Do you understand?"

You didn't appreciate that he suddenly wanted to talk, not when you finally had his dick in you. "Shut the fuck up, Luke! Fucking make me cum or get the fuck off me."

Luke chuckled. "Oh don't worry sweetheart, I won't leave you hanging." One of the hands that had been gripping your waist slid down underneath you. A shock ran through your body as his fingers grazed gently over your clit before settling into a rhythm.

"Oh god, oh god," you moaned, and then you were cumming. Luke's grip on you shifted and he pulled you upright, one arm wrapped around your chest, holding you flush to him, while the other splayed possessively across your belly as he fucked your through your orgasm.

Luke slowed his pace, fucking up into you deep and steady. You could feel his heart beat where his chest was pressed tightly to your back. He nuzzled the side of your head, his lips brushing lightly against your ear.

"Did you have fun tonight? Flirting with some other guy right in front of me?" His voice was low, and the arm he had around your chest shifted slightly, allowing him to wrap his hand gently around your throat. He didn't wait for an answer. He didn't truly need one.

"I'm sick of this, baby. Sick of hiding it. Sick of other guys thinking they even have a chance with you. Sick of no one knowing you're mine. 'Cause you are mine, and I ain't gonna ever let anyone else have you."

His name fell from your lips in a quiet gasp, cunt clenching around his cock at the possessive tone of his words. You had always known he had a jealous streak, but had never really seen it. Not like this. In the eyes of the public, there was nothing for him to even be jealous of.

Luke flexed the fingers of the hand still on your belly. "You know what I should do, sweetheart? I should fuck a baby into you. Let everybody see this belly swell with my child. Then they'd know you belong to me." He sucked in a breath. "A big fucking reminder." Each word punctuated with a rough punch of his hips.

He released his grip on your throat and pushed you back down on the bed, the push and pull of his hips speeding up again. "I will stuff you full of my cum until it takes. Ain't much your daddy could do about me being a Tillerson then" he growled.

His weight was driving you into the bed, forcing you to just take what he was giving. Luke had never been like this with you before, and if you didn't know him, didn't know with complete belief he would never hurt you, his intensity would be alarming. Even then, you were grateful you were on the the pill; because if you weren't you had no doubt he would make good on his words that night. And the small, most instinctual part of you craved it, just as much as he did. The realization of that desire was sudden and the heat it filled you with was enough to tip you over the edge.

Luke drove his hips into you one final time as he felt you cum around him, pussy walls ripping, and then he was grunting loudly as he reached his own release. He stayed still as he came, pulling your hips tight to his, and you swore you could feel every pulse of cum as it shot into your womb.

He maneuvered himself carefully, ensuring he stayed buried inside you as he rolled you on to your side and held you close.

Neither one of you spoke for a long while, and you didn't even realize you had dozed off until he was pressing a kiss into the junction of you nect and shoulder, jolting you back to awareness.

"Are you ok? Did I hurt you?" His voice was soft, tinged with worry. This was the Luke you were you used to; soft and reverent.

"No. I'm fine," you murmured in reply.

You could hear him sigh. "I meant what I said before," he began slowly. He sounded as if he were unsure of his words. The arm wrapped around you tightened slightly, and you realized it wasn't himself he was unsure of, of his words, of his feelings, but of you, and your reaction to whatever he was going to say.

"I love you. And I want to be with you. Properly. I want..." he sighed again. "I want to marry you, goddamn it! I want to raise a family with you! I want to come home to you every night and build something good together."

You felt tears prickling your eyes and you rolled to face him. The action caused him to slip out of you, and the dribble of cum that slipped out with him caused a brief flash of regret in your chest at the wasted potential.

"Luke, your father-"

"Fuck my father!" His words weren't loud, but they were filled with desperation. "I don't care if he fucking disowns me! I don't care about the money or any of it. I just want to be with you! I don't want to ever have to see you with another guy like tonight again. I thought my heart was going to break. I thought you were done with me. Please, baby. Please...."

You did not cry easily; you were Royal Abbott's daughter, after all. But his words, his clear despair, had tears slipping down your cheeks, and when you leaned up to kiss him, your lips were wet and salty. "I want that too, Luke. All of it. I want it with you."

His smile was wobbly as he looked back at you, hope filling his eyes. "Starting now, no more hiding." You couldn't remember the last time he looked so... carefree. Like he didn't have the weight of the world pressing down on him. It was unbelievable to think that you were worth so much to him that you had that kind of power over him.

You pressed into his side, tucking your head under his chin as his arms came up around you again. "No more hiding," you agreed, hand pressing over his heart. He may not realize it, but he had that same power over you.

TAG LIST:

@barbiegirlbaby

[barbiewritesstuff]

Bad Date

-- my first Luke Tillerson x reader fanfic because I love him --

"Please pick up, please pick up" you mumbled. You were sitting on a closed toilet in the bar's women's bathroom. Someone aggressively banged on the door. 

"Baby, you almost done? Come baaaack, we were havin' fun" Your date drawls through the door. You were most definitely not having fun. Dave, or David or whatever his fucking name was had been nice until after his first beer. Then the crass remarks and unsavoury questions started and they didn't stop until beer five when they were replaced by unwanted physical contact. He had almost cornered you when you escaped to the bathroom.

"Please pick up" You begged but no dice. Rhett hadn't answered his phone and neither had Perry. Calling Royal was out of the question and you didn't want to worry Cecilia so your mind went to the only other person who would probably pick you up. 

Billy Tillerson had always been nice, and you guessed he might do you this favour but it was nearing one in the morning and the land dispute had made it so you hadn't spoken too much recently. Still, desperate times and all that, you called his house number. 

It rings and it rings and it rings. Then a click and someone lifts a receiver. Your date bangs on the door again and the door shakes. You don't let the person on the other end of the line speak.

"Billy, it's Y/n, I need a massive favour. I'm on a date, he's had beer and he's gropey and I am so scared. Please please please, can you pick me up. Please, I'm scared" 

Your voice is shaky and you almost whisper it. Whoever heard your message breathes in and out a few times

"Billy, please"

"Is that him banging on the door?" 

Not Billy. It's Luke, you think and all hope that someone might save you just fizzles away. He bangs again and you think Dave might break down the door, you whimper.

"Where are you?" He asks. Whichever one of the Not-Billy-Tillerson Tillerson brothers picked up the phone sounds tired and crabby.

"I'm at the --"

"No, I know the bar, I mean where are you hiding?" He cuts you off

"Bathroom" 

"Okay, hold tight, I'll be there in ten"

You hear these words and you swear that you might kiss him when he gets there, whichever one he is. 

The next ten minutes are the scariest moments of your life. Dave is now trying to break down the door and you don't understand why no one is stopping him. Can't they see? Can't they hear? Are they okay with this?

Ten minutes pass and nothing happens.

Eleven minutes pass and nothing happens

Twelve minutes pass and nothing -- the banging abruptly stops. 

"Hey, you okay? Can you open the door please?" The voice sounds familiar and you're pretty sure it's the same person you had on the phone so you unlock the door with trembling hands. It's pushed open from the other side to reveal a tall blonde man with a tan cowboy hat, a blue shirt and jeans. 

"Jesus, you look --" He says and Luke can feel himself cringe at his words. You look fucking terrified, that's what you look like. Your cheeks are wet with tears and you are shaking so badly he's not sure you can even walk to the truck. 

Underneath all of that though, you looked nice. Clearly, you had been looking forward to the date, because you were dressed nicely in a green dress and high heels. You always looked nice -- not that he looked, of course -- but this was different to your usual farm clothes. 

"Obviously you idiot", he thought, "obviously she looks nicer, this was a date"

He stretched his hand out and he practically had to drag you out of the bathroom. 

"Do you want a drink to calm down?" He offers, but you refuse

"I just want to go home" You tell him, barely meeting his eye.

He wants to hug you, rub circles in your back and tell you "it's okay" and "you're safe now" but he doesn't because you are so fucking scared and it would make it worse. And he's not even sure you know which one of the Tillerson's he is anyway, which makes this all so much worse because he knows exactly who you are. 

He guides you to the car, you regain a little confidence in the parking lot and by the time you climb in the car, your hands are steady enough to fasten your seatbelt by yourself.

The ride is largely silent and he realises halfway through that you have fallen asleep with your head on the window. He's not entirely surprised that something like that would take the energy right out of you but he can't help but feel a little happy that you trust him enough to fall asleep next to him. 

"Raise your standards" he thinks to himself.

He parks the truck in the Abbott's driveway, half surprised that the lights are still on. He opens your door, unfastens your seatbelt and carries you bridal style to the front door. He shifts you a little so he can knock. 

Cecilia opens the door, confusion and surprise etched on her face as she takes in the scene. 

"Do you mind if I --?" He asks, almost pushing himself in. You're not too heavy for him but you are slipping and he needs to put you down. He drops you off on the couch.

"Is she okay? What happens?"

"She's okay. She fell asleep in the car" he says, removing his hat from his head and holding it in his hand instead.

"What are you doing here?" Rhett asks, walking in like he wanted nothing more than to cave his head in.

"Dropping y/n off"

"Why?"

"Bad date"

"And why did she call you? It ain't your job to look after her"

"Maybe she wouldn't have had to if you answered your damn phone. Because I can guarantee she wouldn't have called us as a first choice." He whisper-shouted

"Alright, that's enough. Thank you, Luke. That was very nice of you." Cecilia rubbed his arm a little as she tried to diffuse the situation. Luke took his leave and put the hat back on his head on the front porch.

You were not so sure how you got in your bed. But when you got out you were still wearing yesterday's date clothes. You took them off and jumped in the shower, and when you're back, Cecilia was waiting on your bed. 

She wasn't your mom, or even a relative, really. Technically you were only Perry's family, as Rebecca's little sister. You lived with them before she went missing but the Abbotts had gracefully allowed you to stay with Amy and Perry. 

"Luke Tillerson brought you home last night" she stated and you wondered how much he had told her.

"Yeah, I tried calling the boys but I got no answer."

"You could have called Royal. Or me"

"I know… I just --" 

You didn't really know how to tell her that you are already far too indebted to them to call them to save you whenever you need saved. 

"Are you okay?"

"I don't really want to talk about it, if that's okay?" 

She nodded and stood up to leave.

"I made you pancakes" 

You smiled a thank you smile, and got dressed. 

The pancakes were good but you could have done without the deafening silence of everyone around the table. You didn't know what they're thinking and it stressed you out. In the end, you didn't even finish your plate, you just stood up

"I'm going for a walk," you said and left before anyone could stop you.

You ended up walking to the Tillerson house with the intention to thank Luke for the previous day. The cleaner said he wasn't in the house so you roamed around for a bit before finding him in front of the garage they kept the quads in. He was on his quad, scrolling through something on his phone.

You coughed.

"I just wanted to say thank you." You said when he looked up. Maybe it was the light, or just the fact that you were alone with him for the first time ever, but he just looked so handsome. Something brewed in your tummy and you could have sworn it fluttered when he smiled. 

"It's alright. I wasn't going to leave you stranded like that" he said.

Of course. "Stupid girl, what were you hoping for anyway?" You thought, because for a brief second you wanted him to have saved you for the same reasons princes save princesses in fairy tales.

You stayed silent for a minute

"Do you want to have a go on the quad?" He asked, licking his lips.

"Oh, no thanks" you replied

"Scared?" He chuckled

"Yeah. Too loud, too fast. They're dangerous"

"You can wear a helmet if you want, I'll go slow."

"I'm alright. I wouldn't mind you wearing a helmet though." You didn't know where you got the bravery to say it, but you didn't regret it when he smiled a shy little smile

"Why's that?"

"I like your face, you should keep it safe" 

He blushed.

"Billy! Can you get me my helmet?" He shouts at the barn behind him. Billy replied something but it's muffed and you don't hear.

"'Cuz I like my face, I'd like to keep it safe" He shouted, echoing your words. You share a smile and look at each other. 

"Look, I get it if you're not ready after yesterday. But I would like to take you out to dinner"

[topguncortez]

idk if this question counts for ur blurb night, and for ur soft/angst/smutty thoughts. but do you have any songs that either remind you of jake x shy!wifey, or coyote x val??

OH BOY DO I

you're my best friend - Queen

Best Day of My Life - American Authors

Two of Us - The Beatles

Uptown Girl - Billy Joel

Honeybee - The Head & The Heart

Banana Pancakes - Jack Johnson

Precious Love - James Morrison

Mine - Taylor Swift

She's in Love with the Boy - Trisha Yearwood

Livin on Love - Alan Jackson

Die a Happy Man - Thomas Rhett

Tennesse Whiskey - Chris Stapleton (their first dance song:))