As Nathan began to calm, Griffin reached up, wiping his face clean. "Feeling better?" Griffin asked.
Nathan nodded, accepting the hand Griffin held out to him, helping him stand. Taking one more glance around the burial grounds, Nathan finally asked, "Where are we going to stay?"
"That's up to you, love. We can either set up camp outside the village or find a house to stay in."
Nathan paused, thinking hard about his options before slowly nodding and pulling Griffin back toward their trunks. As they reached the trunks, Griffin tried to insist on grabbing both trunks which Nathan quickly shot down.
Picking one up, Nathan was once again surprised at how light they were. Despite being filled with half of their possessions it felt like it was empty.
Taking his trunk, Nathan led the way through the village, heading towards the top of the mountain where the top tier families lived.
Stopping a few houses away from the largest one, Nathan stared at the faded blue house in front of him. Despite its run down state, Nathan could still see its former glory. Robin egg blue siding, bright white trim, a chocolate brown door and window boxes overflowing with colorful flowers. His mother never could pick one color and stick with it so she kept a variety.
Nathan could suddenly feel Axel's presence in the front of his mind, offering warmth and comfort.
"Who's house is this?" Griffin asked quietly from where he'd been standing behind Nathan.
"Mine," Nathan said simply as he walked toward the front door. Taking a deep breath, Nathan pushed open the door.
As Griffin followed Nathan into the house, he took in the well preserved space. Coats hanging from hooks by the door. A child's rain boots with mud still on them kicked off to the side. And there, above the hearth, a painting of a beautiful, blond woman, a man who looked almost like a carbon copy of Nathan, and a small boy.
Gently setting his trunk down, Griffin crossed the room to examine the painting closer. "Nate?" He called out.
"Yeah?" Nathan responded poking his head around the corner from the kitchen area he walked into.
"Is this you? With your parents?" Griffin asked, not taking his eyes off the painting.
Nathan walked over, wrapping his arm around Griffins waist. "Yeah. My parents had that made for my fifth birthday. Right after I got Axel."
Griffin wrapped his own arm around Nathan's shoulders, pulling him tight onto his side. "You look so much like your dad. What were their names?"
"Abigail and Peter. They were the Beta couple."
"You would've made a great Beta."
Nathan looked up at his mate, a sly smirk on his face. "Actually… They were hoping I'd be mated to one of the Alpha's daughters and be Alpha one day."
Griffin's head whipped around, his face filled with shock and sadness. He quickly pulled Nathan into his chest, almost smothering him. "Mine!" He exclaimed.
Nathan burst out laughing. "Yes, yours. And you're mine," he said while returning the surprise hug.