Unexpected Mate: M/M Alpha/Omega MPREG

By Harper B. Cole

Carter didn't believe in true mates... until he met Brand
One scent was all it took. There was one big problem... when he met Brand, he was at a prenatal visit with his mate, Aaron, for their first child. And Brand was Aaron's doctor. Carter wasn't going to let the pull he felt toward Brand ruin what he had with Aaron, though, and Brand kept silent, so he let it fade.

Six years later, a car crash changed Carter's life
It tore Aaron from him and broke his little boy in ways they are still trying to heal two years later. Carter's had two years of grieving, and he's ready to see if Brand and fate will give him another chance.

Brand absolutely believes in true mates... and Carter isn't his
When Carter approaches him, Brand has no idea what he's talking about. Brand's never experienced that lightning from the sky moment, the fireworks, the scent--but he wants it. He wants it all. And he's not going to take anything less than everything, no matter how attractive Carter is.

If Carter can't win Brand over the easy way, he's determined to do it the old fashioned way: with lots of wooing. But unknown to them, Brand has come to the attention of a group that poses a danger to all shifters everywhere, and their problems are just beginning.

Unexpected Mate is a 61,000 word novel with pregnancies galore, danger lurking in the shadows, and finding healing in those you love.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Wild Empire Publishing
• Release date: Aug 6, 2018
• ISBN: 9780463241790

Book preview

1

Brand

Brand switched the ultrasound screen to 3D and Luke and Gage's little girl's face appeared on the screen. Let's get a picture of that beautiful face, he said.

He loved this part of my job. If he'd been in a human clinic, he probably would have needed to hire out the ultrasound portion of his job to a dedicated technician, but since he focused exclusively on shifters, he wasn't busy enough to warrant that. There was nothing that beat seeing a parent's first glimpse of their little baby. And maybe it wasn't even the first, but it was a new view as their little bean grew, looking more and more like a tiny person. It was a feeling Brand yearned for, but had to content himself with watching second hand. He teared up every time. He knew it got old for some people, but not for him.

She has your nose, Gage told Luke.

Shut up, Luke said, sniffing. You're just making things up.

No, I swear.

Brand snapped a couple of stills and saved them to print. He had explained every step to the new dads as he measured each bone and organ. You have a healthy baby, he told them. Everything looks great. Just let me finish printing your photos and burning the video to disk while you clean up.

The men oohed and ahhed over the photos as the left.

Luke, tell Sarah I want to see you in a month for your next checkup.

Brand hurriedly cleaned and sterilized the equipment. His next appointment wasn't for another hour and a half, but he had a visit to make.

The whole clinic was White Falls pack funded, and served several packs from the surrounding areas. There were certain things you just couldn't go to a human hospital for, and pregnancy checkups were one of them. It was uncommon for a fetus to shift pre-birth, but not unheard of. In fact, most children didn't shift until puberty, but there wasn't any hard line. Some families were more predisposed to early shifts than others. Stress could cause early shifts. There was any number of things that could prompt it, and some that were still not understood. It wasn't like shifter physiology was a hot research topic.

Just down the hall from Brand's office was his friend Tyler's rehab clinic, and he had a very special client today.

Brand kept in touch with as many of his babies as he could. He'd been delivering them for ten years now, and he remembered every one. And this one had been in a terrible car accident two years ago, losing one of his dads and breaking twenty-seven bones in his body. The shock and pain had prompted an early shift for Jax, who had been six at the time, and he'd spent the first two months after the accident in wolf form, which had complicated his healing process.

Tyler was working with Jax on stretching his legs. He was looking even stronger than last week, even though this far in his rehab, he didn't show the same jumps in ability the way he had early on. His fine motor control was definitely improving. Brand watched silently until they took a break. The last thing he wanted to do was interrupt Jax's progress.

Jack Attack! Brand said as he approached. Looking good, man. Brand lifted his hand to Jax's and they smacked and bumped their way through their secret handshake. Are you making Tyler work hard?

Jax giggled.

You have to make sure you work him hard so he doesn't get fat, Brand said, poking Tyler's middle. Tyler flinched away and grabbed at Brand’s head, but Brand clumsily slipped his attempt at a wrestling hold. His knee twinged, but he knew he hadn't pushed it too far when the pain didn't linger. He doesn't listen to me anymore.

Tyler let Jax take a longer break to talk to Brand, and then put the kid back to work. The determination on that boy's face near broke Brand's heart all over again. Brand played cheerleader, and then Jax's appointment was over. His dad arrived and waved to Brand, and he waved back, but stayed perched on a spare exercise ball while Tyler updated Carter on Jax's progress. Carter had changed in the eight years Brand had known him, from a fresh faced young dad to a world-weary widower, but his love for Jax had never changed. Brand could still picture the tears in his eyes when he'd found Jax's tiny heartbeat on the monitor. They hadn't had 3D ultrasounds then, but he had been able to get a good, clear profile.

Brand wanted what Carter and Aaron had found in each other. He couldn't imagine losing his mate, even though he'd never even come close to finding him. Brand yearned for a mate, a child, a family of his own. But he'd known too many couples who jumped into it too soon. Who found they didn't suit. Who thought a child would fix their relationship. Brand was more than content to wait for the right one. For the ridiculous, I knew it at first scent mate. Every couple he knew who had found that person lasted. They thrived.

Well, perhaps Brand wasn't entirely content. A traitorous voice in the back of his head wondered what he should do if he never found that person. At what point would he be willing to give up his dream of finding the right person and settle?

He shook his head and straightened his shoulders. Never. If he couldn't have it all, he wouldn't have anything. It was worth waiting. And if it never came… he would be content with helping others bring their families safely into the world. That would have to be enough.

2

Carter

Carter only half heard Jax's chatter about his session with Dr. Tyler and the bad jokes he and Brandon had shared. Not Brandon, Dr. Delaney. The man was driving him crazy. What was he waiting for?

It was hard keeping his distance from Brandon the longer time went on.

Aaron and Carter had been friends who had grown into lovers. Carter had never believed that fated mate crap, and neither had Aaron. They had been in love, of that Carter had no doubt, but the first time they had walked into Dr. Delaney's office, young and full of nervous excitement, Carter had suffered the shock of his life. One scent, that's all it took. He'd known that he and Brandon had been meant for each other. But Brandon had showed no reaction, and so Carter kept his cool. After the first shock had faded and he'd been able to reason through it, he knew it didn't matter. He was mated to Aaron, who he was trying to have a child with and whom he loved. That trumped everything, even biology. Brandon drew him, there was no denying it, but he would never leave Aaron.

And then Aaron was gone. Jax was broken. And Carter had been left picking up the pieces of his life. When Brandon had started dropping in on Jax's physical therapy appointments about a year and a half ago, Carter assumed he was waiting for the right time to finally talk to Carter, a bold move for an omega, but not an unwanted one.

Then nothing happened.

And nothing happened.

Okay, yes, Carter needed the time to grieve, to get used to his and Jax's new reality without Aaron, and Carter appreciated Brandon being sensitive to that. But with no more barriers, what was keeping them from following their biological imperatives?

But he couldn't come out and say that, could he? That sounded like he had just been waiting for Aaron to get out of the way, and that was the last thing on his mind. Aaron had been his everything, along with Jax. It still killed him every day to wake up in an empty bed. But… he was ready to move on. Or try to move on. On his good days, he was definitely ready to move on. On his bad days, he felt guilty for feeling that way. But he knew what Aaron would want, even though Carter had never told him about Brandon. Aaron would want him to try. That had always been Aaron's thing. Try.

He was the reason they had started dating. Why not just try? Aaron had said. How many times had Carter heard those words in the ten years they were mated? In the thirty years they had known each other before Aaron's death?

Why not just try? The words echoed around in his brain. Aaron would smack him upside the head for waiting for Brandon to come to him. He was the alpha, dammit. If he wanted to pursue a relationship with Brandon, it was up to him to try.

Carter tried to reel his thoughts back in to focus on Jax's endless chatter as he began the drive home. Chances were, Brandon would be there for Jax's appointment next week. It was time for Carter to try.

Normally, Carter left during Jax's appointments so as not to be a distraction, but this time he lurked. He could have easily walked down to Brandon's office, but that felt awkward. Accosting a man in his office about a potential romantic relationship? Stalker much?

Like waiting for him at his son's physical therapy appointment wasn't stalkery.

Carter was getting fidgety waiting. He didn't know when Brandon usually arrived during Jax's appointments; Brandon was nearly always there when Carter arrived to pick him up. About halfway through, just as Carter was about to give up on not charging into his office, Brandon finally appeared. He smelled amazing, like always, like a pine forest after a cold morning rain. It had taken Carter three visits with Aaron to figure it out, the smell always lingering in his nose long after they left.

Brandon greeted Carter with a big smile. Damn, he had a gorgeous smile. Carter couldn't help but compare him to Aaron. Aaron had been taller, skinnier, more like a bean pole. When he'd been pregnant with Jax, it had taken forever for his belly to pop and then all of a sudden, he looked super pregnant. Brandon was stout. Short and thick limbed, but strong and dexterous. They were both fair haired, though Aaron had been more of a dirty blond, while Brandon's hair was more of a honey gold.

Brandon stuck out his hand out. Carter, it's been a long time since we actually talked. How are you doing these days?

With anyone else, Carter knew the question would have meant, How are you doing since Aaron died? It would have been pity laden. Not Brandon. He left pity at the door.

Much better, now that Jax is making so much progress.

He's a hard worker, Brandon agreed. It just took a little while for Ty to get him to believe in himself. But Ty's really good at that.

That he is.

A silence fell between them as Carter tried to think how to broach the subject.

Well, I better get in to see Jax. Don't want to miss my cheerleading session, Brandon joked.

Would you like to go out for coffee with me? Carter asked.

Brandon looked at him with confusion.

I was hoping we could talk. Damn it, Carter's cheeks were flushing.

Brandon's eyes flashed in understanding. Finally. Yes.

I'm sorry, he said, surprising Carter. I think you're a great guy and all, and maybe you'll think this sounds naive, but I don't do casual dating.

Oh, Carter said. That was quaintly old fashioned, but that didn’t bother Carter. I'm not looking for casual dating.

Brandon started looking very uncomfortable. Ah, I don't do casual sex either.

Why would he think Carter was looking for either of those? Well, that's good. Because that's not what I had in mind either.

Brandon's face relaxed. Oh. Just as friends, then?

Now Carter was confused. No, uh, I was hoping we could talk about the thing.

The thing. Great. That was helpful.

The thing?

Yeah, the thing, the scent thing. The scent thing between us. The scent mate thing, Carter finished lamely. He sure hoped he had built some cred with Brandon before now, because this surely was not his finest hour. Thankfully, Carter wasn't attempting to make a first impression.

What are you talking about? Brandon asked.

Carter took a deep breath and started again, wondering why Brandon was making him spell it out. I scented you the first time I walked in your office. I mean, clearly I couldn't and wouldn't do anything about it while I was mated to Aaron, but I knew even then that we were meant to be together. That's never gone away.

3

Brand

Carter had completely lost Brand. Or was he playing a joke at Brand's expense? If so, it wasn't funny.

I'm sorry, Brand tried to excuse himself again. I really should get in to Jax.

Carter grabbed his elbow, then released him as if he were made of fire. Please, don't go yet. Do you not understand what I'm saying?

Brand turned to him in frustration. I'm not sure what you're trying to do, but it isn't funny.

Carter ran his hands through his hair, his fingers trembling, his skin flushed. Brand realized that whatever was going on, Carter wasn't making fun of him, and it wasn't easy for him to talk about. More than anything, he wanted to leave this awkward conversation behind him and get back to his normal schedule, going in to talk to Jax, but he couldn't leave Carter looking so… unsettled.

How about that coffee? Brand suggested.

Carter let out a whoosh of breath. Yeah, that would be good.

Brand hated skipping out on Jax, but he felt he needed to work whatever this was out with Carter. He'd never seen the man like this before. Granted, he barely knew Carter, but you could tell a lot about a person by the way they handled childbirth, their own or someone else's, and Carter had been calm, collected and supportive. This was not the same Carter.

Who would be the same after losing their mate in a tragic accident, though? Brand led Carter across the parking lot to the nearby deli. It was the only option for coffee around here, unless you wanted the gas station special on the corner.

Brand ordered decaf, which Carter made a face at, but said nothing.

Why don't you start from the beginning, Brand said after their waitress filled their cups and left.

Right. Carter took a deep breath. I never believed in all that true mate stuff growing up. Neither did Aaron. But we worked well together, and we loved each other. He was my everything. But then when we came in for that first appointment with you… He looked away. I'd never smelled something so amazing. It took me three visits to pin down what you smelled like—fresh pine—but it lingered in my nose long after we left.

Brand shifted uncomfortably. Maybe I just have an unusual scent, he said.

No, definitely not, Carter said certainly. I knew. I never told Aaron. I didn't want him feeling uncomfortable with you. And besides, there was no point. I wasn't ever going to leave him.

That surprised Brand. Well, the whole conversation was surprising, but even if Carter were right about Brand being his mate, Brand had never met anyone who would have reacted that way to handling such a complicated situation. Every instance he'd heard of or seen where someone found their true mate while they were already in a relationship ended up abandoning their current partner for the true mate. There were so many things Brand felt he thought he should say, but the most important one pushed its way to the surface. Carter, I think I get what you're trying to say, but it's impossible.

Why is that? Carter challenged. I know you're unmated.

Brand felt his skin flush. Everyone knew he was unmated. I'm not sure what it is you're sensing around me, but I'm not your true mate. I've never felt that draw toward you. I'm sorry. You're a nice guy and all, but I'm waiting for that true mate scent. It seems you are too, and I really hope you find it.

Carter's jaw dropped. I don't understand. This isn't possible.

If you want to see a doctor, I can recommend—

"No, Brandon. I know what I smell. You are my mate."

Brand stiffened. I don't know how to convince you that you're wrong, but I'm going now.

He stood and left without another word, and Carter just stared after him in shock. Of all the things he had been expecting out of this conversation, this definitely had not been on his radar.

Shit. What was he supposed to do now? He tried to ask himself, What would Aaron do? but came up with blanks. He'd never heard of someone falsely scenting their mate. But he'd never heard of someone not reciprocating the scenting either. What in the world was going on?

He waited until his normal pickup time to go back for Jax, and he wasn't sure whether he was relieved or disappointed that Brandon wasn't there.

Brand went straight back to his office instead of trying to cheer Jax on right now. As much as he loved the boy, he didn't want to run into Jax's father again. What was Carter thinking? He wasn't the type to play such a mean practical joke. Or maybe he was. Brand had a strong impression from the night Jax was born, but that had been over eight years ago. People changed. Especially with the loss of a loved one.

Brand locked the door behind him even though no one of his social circle would dare to open his door uninvited. It was for others. Like Carter, Brand's treacherous heart whispered to him. He rarely spoke of his yearning for a mate anymore. His parents would urge him to settle like his sisters had. But his mom and dad were a fated pair. He wanted what they had. Sure, his sisters seemed happy enough, but there was something different between their relationships and