The Autumn wind began to chill. Still, so early in the season, the temperature change felt like a drop of ice in a warm drink. Sudden, though unnoticeable, before it gradually dulled the heat into a gentle coolness. The leaves were still young and green, hardly beginning that rapid decline to bright yellows and crispy browns. 

                 It was moments before dusk. The sky was still brightened by the setting sun that was hardly visible over the horizon, painting the world in a beautiful red violet. 

                As mesmerizing as it was, Bran couldn’t spare it more than a glance. His pacing had grown near violent as each minute ticked by. 

                  Where is he?

                  It was almost eight. He was supposed to be here two hours ago! 

                  Sweat trickled down the back of his neck despite the low temperature in the house. The fire was raging in the hearth and the fluffy brown rug before it looked inviting, but Bran knew his body would protest if he stayed still for too long. 

                  Not with it so close. 

                  The front door clicked, and Bran raced for it. 

                “Honey! I’m home!” Kain sang, as he juggled a bunch of shopping bags and shuffled inside. Bran stormed toward him, anger hot in his veins. 

                  “Don’t you ‘honey’ me! Where have you been?” the Omega demanded, fury a live writhing beast inside him. 

                  Kain sighed, clicking the door shut and setting the bags on the ground. His tall broad frame swallowed Bran whole as he scooped him up close, burying his nose in his hair. Bran sighed, feeling himself grow calm with Kain’s scent. 

                  “I wanted to make sure we had everything we needed. I already called out of work, so I’m yours for the week, okay?” Kain reassured softly, his deep honey voice sending tingles down the Omega’s spine. 

                  “I need you,” Bran whimpered against his chest, nuzzling closer to his warmth, combating the heat that still blazed from within. 

                  “I know, love of mine. I’m here,” Kain murmured, rocking him gently. 

                  They stayed like that for a few minutes until Bran’s anger had completely receded and he was floating on a wave of bliss. He protested when Kain pulled away, but the Alpha kissed his forehead and said, “The ice cream will melt.”

                  “Mint chip?” Bran asked softly. 

                  Kain grinned down at him, his green eyes sparkling. “Of course.”

                  Bran grinned back. 

                  He bent down to scoop up the bags and disappeared into the kitchen. Bran could faintly hear the cabinets being opened and closed. He slowed his breathing before following the Alpha into the kitchen. 

                  Kain barely glanced up as he finished putting everything away, keeping out a few materials and pulling out a plate, knife, and cutting board. 

                  “Babe, why don’t you go start the bath? I’ll make the platter.”

                  “Not hungry,” Bran pouted, knowing he was being a brat. But he always lost his appetite around this time...well for food at least. 

                  Kain frowned at him. “You know you need to eat. You need all your strength and energy. You don’t want to burn out.”

                  Bran continued to pout until Kain sighed and slid his arms around the Omega’s waist, pressing their foreheads together. His green eyes filled Bran’s entire vision. His medium brown skin shimmered in the faint glow of the house. 

                  He was so beautiful. 

                  His Alpha. 

                  Kain kissed Bran’s neck and the Omega moaned, pushing into him. 

                  “Go start the bath, I’ll be there in a minute,” his low throaty voice commanded. 

                  Bran pushed against him harder. 

                  “Such a stubborn Omega,” he growled playfully before pulling back and smacking Bran’s ass. “Do as you’re told.”

                  Bran grinned wickedly, “Yes, Alpha.”

                  He sashayed out of the kitchen to the master bathroom and started to fill the large jacuzzi tub. He put out a few scented candles around the bathroom and the bedroom to fill the space with pumpkin spice and apple cinnamon, some of his favorite scents for the season. Bran poured a few oils into the water as the tub filled. They were supposed to help with his hormone release. Keep him calm, or so the doctors liked to tell him. 

                  The bath was nearly full by the time Kain swept in, closing the door behind him, balancing a large plate full of meats and cheese cubes. He set it down on the small table that was set up near the bath. 

                  “How long?” he asked.

                  “Ten, maybe twenty minutes,” Bran said softly, admiring his strong and muscular frame. His five o’clock shadow was neatly shaped, matching his closely shaven head. His cheekbones were pronounced and his jaw sharp enough to cut glass.

                  The Omega stepped up close to him and brushed his fingers along his jaw, feeling the prickly hair scrape against his skin. He glared at him. “I thought you said you were going to shave.”

                  Kain grinned sheepishly, rubbing his jaw. 

                  “I like it too much,” he said. 

                  Bran’s eyes narrowed into slits. 

                  “Well, I don’t like when it’s scraping against my nether bits.”

                  Kain came close and whispered, “I’ll be careful.”

                  Bran rolled his eyes, “Sure you will.”

                  Kain laughed and the sound was magical. 

                  His hands slid along Bran’s sides before gently unknotting the belt to his robe. Ever so carefully pulling the fabric apart until the fluffy mass slipped off the Omega’s shoulders and pooled on the ground at their feet. With his exposed body bare to Kain’s gaze, Bran could feel the light kisses of his heat beginning to lick at his skin. 

                  “Alpha mine, I’ve been waiting for you,” Bran whispered. 

                  Kain growled lowly. 

                  With a smirk, the Omega backed away and dipped into the tub, loving the way the hot water hugged his body. Kain shed his clothes in record time, climbing in behind him before he could really appreciate the sight of his Alpha.

                  Bran purred, moving closer until his back was flush against Kain’s chest. 

                  The Alpha washed him slowly, tenderly. Occasionally slipping a piece of meat or cheese in the Omega’s mouth. The platter was gone in record time. If Kain hadn’t been the one feeding him, Bran never would have put anything in his stomach. His Alpha took such good care of him.

                  Bran settled against Kain, feeling his eyelids droop. 

                  “Soon,” Bran whispered, then turned his face until his cheek pressed against Kain’s shoulder. “Do you think this time we’ll…?” he couldn’t finish that question. The anxiety curled in his gut, but his wonderful mate knew what he was trying to say. Kain always knew. They were two halves of a whole. 

                  “We will have our family. Don’t fret, Omega mine. Be patient.”

                  They’d been trying for so long, Bran was starting to think there was something wrong with him. Kain didn’t like when he doubted himself, but he couldn’t help it. He wanted to give his Alpha a family. He wanted them to have a little one running around the house, causing a wreck so they could smother them with love. Bran wanted that so badly that it killed him inside when he thought he might not ever have it. That Kain would never have it, because of him.

                  Kain kissed the top of Bran’s head and whispered sweet nothings in his ear. The Omega let himself be carried away by him, not even noticing when he pulled the Omega out of the bath and dried them both off. The heat was beginning.