M.M. Wilde Quotes

I followed your instructions exactly, I promise. I don't lie."
Vic rubbed the back of his neck. "Right, sorry. Didn't mean to imply anything. I'm just worried, that's all."
Kellan stared at him for a moment before his lower lip began trembling. Vic rushed forward in case Kellan was in any pain and needed his help. He grabbed his upper arms.
"What's wrong?"
A tear fell from Kellan's eye. "No one's cared about what happens to me for a very long time."
Vic yanked Kellan into his embrace, cradling and rocking him. He closed his eyes, rested his head on Kellan's, losing the battle to remain indifferent to the young man. Just because he was doomed to never finding his true fated mate, it didn't mean he couldn't care about and love another. Even if in his mind it was odd that he should fall so hard and fast for Kellan, for a swan, that didn't make it wrong.
The way Kellan pressed his cheek to his chest and hugged him back so tightly was nothing short of a confirmation that he was feeling the same way. He still intended to try and slow things down, if only to allow poor Kellan the chance to adjust to his new world, along with discovering his place within it.
Kellan loosened his hold and gazed up at Vic. "Is it okay that I like you and think you're very handsome?"
Yup. That's a rather direct confirmation. "Only if it's okay that I like you and think you're very beautiful."
Kellan grinned. "Really? You think I'm beautiful? Finn alwa

I'm not leaving this cabin again until you've laid your egg."
Kellan snuggled up to Vic. "Our egg, remember?"
"Mmm. Our baby." Vic buried his nose in Kellan's hair. "This is all so surreal, but I couldn't be more thrilled."
They held each other in silence, the only sound being the rustle of the branches in the light wind and the crackle of the well-seasoned wood in the fireplace. Part of what Vic had said sunk in.
"Hey, Vic?"
"Yeah?"
"You can't stay here round the clock with it being so busy at the inn and everything. It's Christmas week. I've heard you say plenty of times that it gets crazy between now and New Year's Day."
Vic tightened his hold. "I don't care."
Kellan rolled his eyes. "But it's not fair to everyone else. It's bad enough that I'm not there helping as it is." He glanced up at Vic. "And what about food?" They took most of their meals at the restaurant since it was so convenient.
Vic stuck out his lower lip. "I'll make Dora deliver them to the cabin."
Kellan sighed. "Vic, you're not being reasonable."
He huffed. "Reasonable? Who cares about reasonable? My mate is about to lay an egg at any minute!"
Kellan let out a laugh, then grabbed his abdomen. It didn't hurt, but it sure as hell felt weird. Too much pressure.
Vic gasped, grabbing Kellan's upper arms then holding him back, his gaze roaming Kellan's body. "Is it time? Should you go lie down in the nest?"
This is going to be fu

You're everything I've ever dreamed of and more, sweetheart. Don't ever doubt that." Vic nuzzled his hair. "Does it bother you that I can't fertilize your eggs? I don't want you to regret staying with me when you could be with another swan and hatch young with them."
Kellan pulled back, drawing his eyebrows together. "But, you don't know that for sure. Why would we be fated mates if you can't fertilize my eggs? I think there's still a chance.

I don't have any other family. Only Finn, my brother. My parents were killed in a flying accident when they were caught in a blizzard a few year ago. Most of the bevy was lost, it was so horrible. Then there's the rest of my herd, eight of us, including me." Kellan's shoulders slumped. "Well, seven now. And I guess I should stop referring to them as my herd."
Vic settled on the floor at his feet, the large man gazing up at him with compassion. "You're not alone, Kellan, I promise. Vale Valley exists for a reason, to be that shining beacon for those of us who've been cast aside." Vic clasped his hand. "I lost my family too when a deadly virus tore through our pack. But I've found a home and community and have built a good life here. Everyone's going to welcome you with open arms, I promise."
A measure of peace filled him. Vale Valley could only be a million times better than living with his rotten brother or any of the other vicious members of his herd. Ex-herd. Kellan smiled.
"Thank you for everything, Vic. Especially for staying here with me tonight

Why isn't the door locked? You should be more careful!"
He winced at the sight of Kellan hugging his knees to his chest and staring at him with wide eyes. His voice must have come out louder than he'd intended.
"Is it because of the dragons? I didn't think a lock could keep out any witches."
Vic rubbed his forehead. Why did I ever tell him that? Then again, it wasn't as if he could avoid them if he stayed in town. Vic's chest tightened. He has to stay.
"I already explained that you have nothing to fear from our dragons and witches. We're all good folk here."
"I know, I'm sorry. But Finn used to tell me horrible stories about them. After mom and dad died, he said if I didn't do everything he told me to do, he'd cut off my ears and sell me to the witches."
Vic crossed his arms as he ground his teeth. He took a couple deep breaths before responding. No need to scare him any more than I already have

Okay, sweetheart. I'll be up front checking in with Dora."
Kellan froze, staring up at him with his lip trembling again.
Shit. What did I do now?
"Are you okay?"
Kellan sniffed. "You called me sweetheart."
Vic brushed back a strand of Kellan's hair that had come loose and was dangling across his forehead. "Well, that's what you are to me. Is that all right?"
He gave a shaky nod, pressing his lips together as if trying to keep control. "No one's ever said that about me before."
Vic stroked his cheek. "They do now." He pressed another quick kiss to Kellan's lips.

He brought the tray into the bedroom, then set it on the floor next to the bed. At Kellan's perplexed expression, Vic jerked a thumb over his shoulder. "Hold on, I have to grab one more thing."
Vic scurried to the living room then retrieved the item he wanted. As soon as Kellan's gaze landed on the gift bag holding the stuffed wolf they'd bought at the market, he slapped a hand to his mouth, his eyes glittering, but happy. Vic sat on the bed and placed the bag next to the egg.
"For our baby. I'll always protect and love them as I protect and love you." Vic leaned over and kissed the top of the shell peeking out from under the blankets.
Kellan grabbed Vic's hand, twining their fingers together. "I love you, Vic, my big bad wolf." A lone tear slid down Kellan's cheek, but his smile remained wide. "Merry Christmas."
Vic pressed a kiss to Kellan's palm. "Merry Christmas, sweetheart

Ready to see your new home?"
Kellan grinned back. "Yes." He sighed. "My new home."
Vic helped him with the jacket and made a silent vow that he'd do everything in his power to keep Kellan safe and happy from then on. The young swan wasn't the only one who never thought they'd find someone who cared that much about them

Kellan stared up at him with wide eyes.
So strong.
As Vic turned to leave, Kellan almost jumped from the chair to stop him. He didn't doubt that if his ankle hadn't been sprained, he would have. As if Vic had sensed his intentions, he peered over his shoulder.
"Don't worry. I won't be long."
After he'd shut the door, Kellan brought the collar of Vic's shirt to his face and pressed his nose against the fabric. He took a deep breath, closing his eyes as he remembered how comforting it had been when Vic had carried him. Held me.
A tear leaked from one eye at the realization that no one had touched him with any affection ever since his mom had died. It had been more than eleven years ago when he'd only been eight years old. Kellan sighed. Don't go there. You don't need to anymore.
He had Vale Valley and a new beginning

Vic gazed up at Kellan. His mate's breathing was slow, but steady, and somewhere deep inside Vic believed that Kellan was doing exactly what he was supposed to be doing. The gods would watch over his beautiful swan and keep their egg safe.
Soon, Vic's eyes grew heavy, but he fought against the sleep trying to take him. No, not yet. Just a little longer. He didn't want Kellan to go through the egg-laying all by himself, not when Vic could be there and offer encouragement, to share in the moment and reassure him if he became scared.
The wool blanket was doing its job and Vic had warmed up nicely. His eyelids fluttered, so he tried to keep his focus on Kellan, tried to keep from drifting off.
Kellan. My precious mate, my love…
The song of a cardinal invaded Vic's dream and he tried to ignore it in favor of the imaginary outing he was enjoying with Kellan on the lake during some future summer. We can bring the baby. I bet it will be a water baby, same as its daddy. The slow trill of the winter bird cut through Vic's peaceful world and his eyes flew open, his brain registering it was morning right as his eyes adjusted to the light.
He yelped, his arms flailing for a second before he tumbled off the bed and landed with a thump onto the braided rug. Vic lay there for a moment, his heart pounding, trying to work out whether he was still in a dream or truly awake. He sucked in a deep breath, then pushed up from the floor. He peered over the edge of the be

I was going to say, let alone that I might find a mate."
Vic's heart swelled, and in that moment, he knew his feelings weren't simply a case of misplaced lust, that Kellan meant something to him, that he had been led to Vale Valley for more than sanctuary. They might not be able to have a family since they couldn't possibly be fated mates, but that was all right. They'd still have each other.
"Kellan, have you ever been kissed?"
Kellan blinked up at him as he shook his head.
Vic framed Kellan's face with his hands. "Then I think we should do something about that."
He held Kellan's gaze for a moment before descending on him, capturing Kellan's lips with his own, moving them over Kellan's mouth. He kept his touch slow and gentle, imprinting the memory of their first kiss to hold dear in his heart forever. Kellan melted against his frame and kissed him back, his technique clumsy, but earnest. As their exchange heated, Vic wrapped one hand around Kellan's nape and grasped his waist with the other. Kellan opened up to him and Vic dipped his tongue into Kellan's willing mouth, tasting and exploring as much of the sweet man as he could.
Vic slowed the kiss before they got too carried away, still mindful of not overwhelming him. When he broke the connection, he framed Kellan's face again and pressed his lips to Kellan's forehead to seal his intent. They stared into each other's eyes in silence as they caught their breath again.
Kellan curled

I'd love that. I've never had a crepe before."
"Then I'll put it at the top of our list."
Our. It was a great word.