Author's note: When I first started this story, I planned for it to have that bit of angst at the beginning, and then, when everything fell into place, I was supposed to throw a wrench into the works, because that's just how these things happen. But I couldn't do it. I hope the story is still good despite it.

I also didn't want it to end just yet, especially on chapter 13. And it needed a little bit more smut. But I chose to do something special, and I hope you like the surprise. Presenting…

Dean's POV:

Dean took a deep, relaxing breath that turned into a yawn. He stretched lazily on the bed and smiled, feeling the warm body next to him. Snuggling close, he chanced a glance at his alpha, his smile widening at the adorable sight. He had seen Castiel asleep before, but never this relaxed. Content. Happy. And Dean was happy too.

Last night he was just happy to get a chance to cuddle next to his Alpha and fall asleep. He understood Castiel's reluctance to knot and to mate, and he didn't want to push, no matter how ready he felt. A part of him really wanted it to happen and just like he presumed, the light touch, the slow build-up, everything was perfect. It hadn't erased what happened before, nothing ever could, but it was another step towards him being better.

Speaking of feeling better, Dean's stomach rumbled, reminding him of the amount of calories he lost during their early morning session. The memories brought nothing but another smile, and Dean closed his eyes again, taking a second to relish in them. In that sweet, tender touch, in that loving, albeit slightly fearful look in those sky painted eyes. But the persistent stomach growled at him, forcing Dean to get up and seek food.

He could have asked one of the guards to send a maid to fetch some food, but he wanted to walk down to the kitchen himself, prepare a sandwich just right, maybe go talk to his healer? He certainly didn't want to show off his new mark, no, that would be childish. Yet when he saw Pamela on his way to the kitchen, he couldn't help but turn his 'good' side towards her and grin like a little pup over a large piece of candy. They ended up walking together to the kitchen and sharing a late breakfast while they talked. Sure, she asked about how he felt and how he was handling it all, but there was more amusement than concern in her eyes as she listened to him talk. He told her everything, holding back only the details of their nightly activities, though he did imply that 'things happened'.

After the late breakfast, Dean was on his way to their chambers to bring his alpha a bite to eat too, when he caught a glimpse of his mother in an opposite corridor. Benny was just passing by, and Dean asked him to bring the food to Castiel while he went to talk to Queen Mary. In the end, Dean ended up spending his afternoon with his mother, then his brother and father and some of their friends and family, feeling extremely happy. By the time he returned to the kings' chambers, it was time for the late lunch, one which he had delivered to their room.

Except there was no Castiel there.

"Hey, Garth. Have you seen the king?" He asked the guard, frowning as he got a negative response. Garth did say he wasn't stationed at the door the entire time, so he didn't know if the king had been there or not, but told Dean that the guard he did relieve was Elias, so maybe he knew.

When Dean found him, Elias said he wasn't even in the king's wing that day, that Gadreel was supposed to be stationed at the door. Dean was confused, but continued his search for Castiel throughout the castle. Gabriel said he thought he saw him head to the kitchen. But all Dean found there was Jack, helping the staff collect the dishes from others who did not attend the late lunch at the dinner table. The youngest musketeer claimed he hadn't seen him, but that if anyone knew where he was, Balthazar would be the one, he took his job extremely seriously.

Balthazar did not know where Castiel was. And Dean got a feeling like he was being dismissed, though Balthazar was technically his subordinate or whatever. He was hiding something, but Dean didn't know what it was. There was no sign of Michael either, but when Dean came across his father, King John told him that he conversed with Castiel about an hour ago in the dining hall. Going there, Dean ran into Sam who confirmed Castiel was in the dining hall, but left a few minutes ago. When Dean came across Benny again, the guard said he hadn't seen him since he took Gadeel's place as the guard, so that the man could attend to his bodily needs. It was when Castiel first left his room, and also explained why Garth thought he took over from Elias, the two men looked so much alike. Eventually, Dean ran into Meg who told him she saw Castiel leave towards the gardens.

By the time Dean reached the gardens and hadn't found Cas there, the feeling that was gnawing in the back of his mind surfaced, worry and panic taking over. Was Cas mad at him for sneaking out of the bed this morning? Was he avoiding him? He was always busy, though this day they were supposed to spend it together, alone. It was their honeymoon day, yet the sun was nearing the horizon and Dean hadn't seen, touched, kissed his Alpha since he woke in the late morning. Maybe there was a problem, maybe something happened? Oh, fuck, what it James escaped? What if he was planning on overthrowing Castiel, maybe even take his place?

A hand on his shoulder startled Dean so much, he yelped, and Uncle Bobby's brows rose up in surprise at his reaction. "What's gotten into you, boy?"

"Sorry, sorry. I've been looking for Cas and I… Have you seen him?"

"He's right over there." Uncle Bobby said, pointing at the garden's entrance where Castiel stood, looking slightly nervous, but clearly not wanting to disrupt Dean's and Uncle Bobby's conversation.

"Thanks." Dean replied, brushing past his chuckling uncle and going to meet his alpha. Cas was fidgeting as Dean approached and held his breath as Dean planted a small kiss on his cheek, the actions confusing the omega. "Cas? What's wrong?"

"Nothing." The alpha seemed in a hurry to give that answer. "Nothing's wrong. I just... I think I might have contracted something, I do feel a bit lightheaded and…" He trailed off, flinching when Dean came close, invading his space, reaching to touch his forehead. Dean could tell there was something off about his scent, but he was too surprised by Cas' reaction to fully register it. "I… I don't want you to… to get ill. I think…I think we should… We should sleep apart… Just… Just for tonight, just to… To make sure, I don't want to pass on whatever was... "

What was happening? His alpha wasn't rejecting him, that could not be. That could… Previous thoughts of prince James taking Cas' place came to mind again, but no, there was no way. This was Cas, Dean would know the difference. As he watched the alpha back away from him and retire inside the castle, Dean stood dumbfounded and hurt, trying to understand what just happened.

Dean thought that he had figured Castiel out by now. That he was caring, but shy, that he loved with all his heart and was always just and fair, never wishing to harm a soul. Last night proved every point, especially the last one. So why would he distance himself now, knowing how much his action would hurt Dean? And boy, did it hurt.

But the alpha would never do that to him, so why? What changed? Dean hadn't seen him all day, and when he finally found him, the alpha seemed hesitant, fidgety and… His scent was off. Different. More… Profound.

Dean's eyes widened as he came to the realization and he ran after Castiel, managing to catch a glimpse of him heading for the room next to their chambers, the one that once belonged to Queen Beatrice. "Cas, wait!" He shouted after the alpha, but was not heard. The door shut just as he was about to reach them, the bold locking into place.

Instead of slowing down, Dean sped up, breaking into a sprint, squatting his shoulder and bracing for impact. He hoped it looked cool, thought it hurt like a son-of-bitch when he hit the door and they caved under the pressure, prying open with a loud bang. Dean was breathing hard from the adrenaline and stood his ground at the door, glaring at his alpha.

"Did you really think I wouldn't figure it out?" Dean asked and took a step forward while Cas took a step back, looking quite pale and shaken. There was fear and concern in his eyes, and he swallowed hard before letting out a shuddering breath. "Did you really think I wouldn't find out?"

It added up quickly in Dean's mind, the avoidance, the shaking and fidgeting, the way his alpha almost sounded terrified. And his scent. His nature scent of forest and spring and fresh air had a hint of linden tree that only intensified when Dean approached him. He smelled something similar back when Cas was aroused, but not this intense, and Dean was too distracted to notice it anyway. There was only one reason Cas would ever consider hurting him, and that would be to avoid hurting him even more.

Dean took another step forth and another, reaching for his alpha that seemed to retract until he hit a wall and had nowhere else left to run. "Dean… Dean, I…"

"You are on the verge of a rut."

"I… I…"

"It's okay, alpha. I got you."

Cas sucked in a breath when Dean finally closed in on him, pressing his body and curving it so that it would fit Cas' perfectly. He pressed his hips against Cas', wedging his thigh between the alpha's legs and feeling this erection grow. Cas' breathing was rapid and shallow, almost sobbing as Dean moved against him, letting his hands roam, and kissing that special spot that drove his alpha crazy, that drove him to an orgasm a few days before. Castiel's hands were glued to the wall as if he was holding on for dear life, every muscle in his body spasming at the overload of sensations and he mewled as he came, right then and there, in his pants. Cas sagged down, and would have probably sunk down the wall if Dean wasn't still pressed against him.

"Can't deny me what's mine." Dean said, half-jokingly, pressing one more kiss to Cas' neck before pulling away. The alpha looked like a picture of debauchery, with his cheeks flushed, his hair a mess more so than usual and his dress pants stained with his release. "Come on, let's get you cleaned up and into our bed, so that I could have my way with you."

"Dean…" Cas tried, but hadn't protested when Dean grabbed his hand and pulled him out of the room. "Dean…" He tried again as Dean left him standing in the middle of their room to tell the guards they would need bath water now and food delivered in about two hours. "Dean…" He whined again,probably trying to get the omega's attention as Dean stripped him.

"I don't want to hurt you…" The alpha let it slip, and Dean finally paused just as he was about to take off his undergarments. He locked his eyes with his alpha and smiled, cupping his cheek.

"You won't."

"Dean…"

"Cas. You won't hurt me. I trust you." Dean said, and there was a hint of relief in the way Cas' shoulders sagged a bit, but not enough to fully relax. "Was it time for your rut?"

"No, it is a little early." Cas replied, his big blue eyes focused on Dean's.

"That is probably because of the mating. That is your biology telling you to let go…" Dean said, amazed how the mere sound of his voice was affecting Cas, soothing him and allowing the tension to seep out of him. Until someone knocked on the door.

Cas growled, shoving Dean behinding himself and standing proud and protective with his pants around his ankles. Dean huffed a laugh, finding it adorable. "Relax, alpha. That's just the maid, bringing water. Let me get it?" He asked, emphasizing Cas' designation and using a soothing voice to calm his inner beast. Cas didn't quite let him, lingering behind the door as Dean opened it and slowly took the offered heated water for the bath. In the far corner of the room stood a shiny new tub, a gift from Baron Bartholomew of all people, and Dean tried to carry the water to it, but Castiel snatched it, looking under his lashes at Dean as he carried it to the bath.

"My strong alpha." Dean teased and Cas huffed, rolling his eyes, but still blushed. "Come, alpha, let's clean you up a bit before we dirty you up again." The clean up was quick, more so because Dean felt dizzy with the scent of alpha arousal filling the air, his body producing so much slick that he himself felt like he needed a clean up.

"Dean…" Cas started to whine, his fingers shaking as he reached for Dean and found clothes instead of skin. As Dean began to undress, his alpha found his last voice of reason, closing his eyes and stepping back for a moment. "Are… Are you sure? I don't… I can't… I can't be the one to hurt you, I could never live with myself if I did. "

With his eyes closed, Cas couldn't see Dean finished and was standing naked before him, and Dean took a moment to appreciate the sight of his alpha. "You won't. I know you won't. You're my alpha. Now and forever." The words had the desired effect, and Dean watched as his alpha peeled his eyes open, intense blue orbs taking his breath away. He took a step back and Cas followed, never taking his eyes off his omega. They walked backwards all the way to the bed, not breaking eye contact even as Dean sat down, then shuffled up the bed as Cas followed, crawling towards and on top of him.

It was all one fluid motion, Cas' body sliding up Dean's, the alpha chasing after Dean's retracting form to capture his lips, his hands gliding up his legs and parting his thighs and his rock hard cock pausing at his slicked hole only for a moment before breaching him, sliding in to the hilt, making Dean moan into their kiss. There was evident hunger in Cas' blue eyes and as the rays of the setting sun hit them just right, it made them glow red.

When Cas bottomed out, Dean broke the kiss and threw his head back, relishing in the feel of fullness, the feeling of being complete, the feeling of rightness. Castiel peppered kisses down his neck all the way to the mating gland, then latched onto it as his hips started moving, creating slow circular motions and making Dean shudder. "Cas…" He moaned the alpha's name, wanting to say just how good it felt, how good he felt.

The alpha growled, and he must have misinterpreted Dean's sounds as whining, as the omega wishing for more; and he started moving more, rolling his hips into Dean, slightly pulling back and pushing back inside. Dean's lips parted open as he brought his head back down to look at his alpha and found that Cas was just staring at him, his gaze unwavering, firm and soulseeing. His hands were still roaming all over Dean's body, caressing each patch of skin, but then the alpha's right hand came to his knee and pushed lightly, making Dean bend it to his chest. The motion opened his body even more to his alpha who started thrusting at a more rapid pace, his hips giving a little roll each time he would bottom out.

Dean shouted, his voice turning into cries of pleasure as his alpha started moving faster, little rougher, and much much deeper. Stars danced in his peripheral vision as he kept his eyes locked with his alpha, unable to break the intense stare. His breath hitched a few times, making him almost hiccup as the alpha's cock kept brushing against that sweet spot within, more and more often; it drove him to the verge of an orgasm, but kept him there, teetering on the edge. It only became worse, or even better - Dean was delirious by now, when Cas started moving more and more, plowing into him hard, yet somehow still gently and lovingly.

"Alpha…" As soon as Dean let out the small, whining sound, it created the domino effect. Castiel's hips bucked up, his knot swelled, his cock spilling inside of Dean, and Dean cried out, finally reaching his climax and exploding between them. He didn't even notice when Cas flipped them, taking on Dean's weight instead of slumping on top of him, he was so careful that Dean didn't feel a thing, or maybe he was still coming, he wasn't sure.

The thud of a racing heartbeat filled Dean's ears as he laid his head on Castiel's chest, smiling dazedly while the alpha ran his fingers through Dean's hair. They lay like that for a few minutes, calming down. When Cas spoke up, his voice was even deeper than normal, rough with a dose of nervousness in it. "Are you alright?"

Dean huffed a smile and craned his neck to look up at his alpha. "I am perfect." His face must have had a sense of dopiness to it, because Cas smiled, but blushed adorably. "You didn't hurt me." Dean added, his tone a bit teasing, as if he was trying to convey the old I-told-you-so.

"It was perfect. You are perfect, alpha." The adorable blush deepened, and Cas looked away, probably feeling embarrassed. "You know…" Deas started, feeling like Cas really deserved the praise and maybe a little something extra to spur him on. "... You take real good care of me. Have been doing it since we first met."

"You are a good alpha, Cas. My alpha. And when my heat hits in a few days from now, I know you'll take care of me then too." Cas sucked in a breath, his eyes widening at the notion that Dean would want to spend his heat with him. Dean couldn't resist anymore, he pushed up and reached to kiss his alpha, humming in delight as his knot tugged slightly at his rim.

That night, Dean used his hands on Castiel one more time to bring him to the werge, whispering sweet things about Cas filling him and making him round with his pups, the idea sending the alpha over the edge with a shout. The next morning, when he woke as the little spoon, Dean backed his ass into Cas' crotch and grumbled when his alpha wouldn't breach him, saying that he was saving him for his heat, as he didn't want Dean to be too sore. With the promises of how well he would take care of Dean, Cas rutted against his ass and painted it with his release, then used his mouth on Dean, making him scream with pleasure.

After they ate and cleaned up a bit, Dean could tell Cas was trying to hold back, that another wave of his rut was imminent and he crawled on the bed, presenting for his alpha. Castiel tried to argue, but as soon as his hand touched Dean's lower back, the warm palm sliding up his skin and eliciting a small moan out of his omega, the alpha was a goner. He was still gentle and at the same time perfectly rough, moving faster and deeper while his hands soothed, his kisses tingled Dean's skin.

Strangely enough, his rut broke after that, and Dean figured it was because his inner alpha was appeased, his omega submitting to the beast as only a perfect true mate would. They emerged from their chambers that night, and shared a meal with their family. Dean received wide smiles from his mother and she lingered hugging them both as they said goodnight. The next day they were supposed to depart, leaving Dean to live his life as a king he was never meant to be. Together, Castiel and him would rule, their decisions just and fair.

"I know it is late summer, but you smell so much like spring, it is…" Castiel said as they sat in the gardens that night, gazing at the stars, too energized to sleep. "... The sweet cherry, the blossom, the warmth of it… It seems different. Are you happy, my omega?"

"I am beyond happy." Dean replied, smiling and snuggling in his alpha's embrace.

"I think I can tell. You almost smell like your favourite dessert." Castiel replied, and they both huffed a smile, too joyful and hopeful of a good, long future ahead of them.

And then, when a few days later Dean's heat didn't hit, and with great worry they went to consult with a healer, they were surprised to learn that Dean was already with child, probably due to their activities during Castiel's rut. If they thought they were happy before, they were euphoric with this news.

Finally, their happily ever after was within reach and there was absolutely nothing that could cloud their happiness.

Not even the man in the iron mask, plotting his salvation and his vengeance.

The end

And that's all she wrote. Well, for this universe at least. For now… Aaaaaaaanyway… Next up I have a UniverseVSDestiel one shot planned (and half written), and after that I got a timestamp for The Quiet One. AND then! You guys liked Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt in MrMrs Smith, right? Well, the premise is similar, the universe is cannon-like and the angst is through the roof. Stick around. Or better yet, click that follow/subscribe button. And now I managed to sound like a YouTube video. Great. Ugh. But seriously. Hit the like/kudos/favourite. I love you!