Chapter 16

Power hung in the air around the Kagan’s ceremonial circle. It tasted different on Ethan’s tongue from his pack’s energy, but it resonated within him the same way. The mystical spirit recognized him. The similarity reminded Ethan of one truth—no matter which pack they belonged to, they were all tied together.

He stood on the very edge of the ring marking the sacred grounds and let the welcoming touch of the Kagan’s spirit strengthen him, much as he suspected it did for Nic whenever he came to the spot. No temptation to claim the source of the power teased Ethan’s mind the way it did near his pack’s circle. He simply felt peace, even acceptance. It was as if he’d finally come home, even though he knew the patch of grass didn’t belong to him.

Hannah’s satisfied groan yanked his attention to her. She’d taken several steps into the field and stood with her arms stretched slightly behind her and her head tipped back. A smile graced her lips.

Mine.

The single word settled over him, and everything it implied wove into his being. It meant more than possession, though that was part of it. She was the one who’d mend the crack in his broken heart, binding both halves of him together—animal and man.

He glanced at Noah, who mirrored his position on the opposite side of the circle. Noah slid his gaze from Hannah to him. Anticipation and lust gave his green eyes a shimmering quality, mesmerizing Ethan.

A lifetime of memories and understanding passed between them. The truth Noah had given Hannah about wanting her to mate Ethan hadn’t been an empty statement to ease her uncertainty. Noah had experienced grief and didn’t want Ethan or Hannah to ever feel it. The selflessness behind his conviction intensified the bond between them.

Ethan gave his lover a small nod and approached Hannah, stepping close but not touching her. “Are you ready to become mine?”

She straightened. Lip caught between her teeth, she tugged his shirt from his pants and undid the buttons, working her way from the top to the bottom. The material parted. Hannah ran her palm over the contours of his stomach. Her breathing quickened, but she didn’t move to undress him further.

She raised her gaze to his. “But I won’t be yours until you mate me. Not completely.”

“I will mate you. Tomorrow night, right after I become alpha.” Ethan stroked a single finger over the delicate spot on her shoulder that would soon mark her as his. “You’ll be waiting for me in my bed.”

“Won’t it be dangerous for me to be there? I’ve heard—”

“You won’t be alone. Noah will guard you.”

Ethan traced a path over her upper chest, right along the edge of her robe. He wanted it off her, but if he undid the tie and exposed her body, he’d be lost. It couldn’t happen yet. She wanted to talk. He wanted her on her knees. Her needs came first.

“And what if you decide…” She glanced away.

He tipped her head back to look into her face. “What?”

“What if you decide tomorrow that loving me was a mistake?”

Again Ethan wondered who had hurt her. It was the only explanation he could come up with for her insecurity. He let the curiosity go. They’d have time to talk about the past later. The present concerned him.

“I could ask you the same thing. My lack of experience with a female’s body might change your mind.” Ethan slid his hand under her robe and skimmed his fingers up her inner thigh. The softness of her skin tempted him to explore her, but he stilled his fingers. “Maybe I won’t satisfy you.”

She huffed. “I don’t think that’ll be a problem.”

Noah stepped behind him and rested his fingertips on Ethan’s hip, but Ethan kept his gaze on Hannah. “You won’t know until I try.”

“Then try.” Hannah caressed his stomach with the back of her hand. “And after you make me wild, I’ll return the favor.”

Noah popped the button on Ethan’s pants, then dragged the zipper down. “No. After Ethan makes you crazy, I will.”

Hannah made a soft sound, something between a sigh and whimper. Ethan turned his attention back to her and found her watching Noah undress him. After a moment, she glanced into his face. Desire simmered in her eyes. He kept his gaze on her but asked Noah, “Do you think she’ll like that?”

“She’ll love it. Won’t you, Hannah?”

She nodded. “Yes.”

“Then let Ethan see you. Show him the body that’ll soon belong to him.”

Noah’s command directed her hand. She undid the tie on her robe. The anticipation of finally seeing her naked seized Ethan. She grasped the satiny edge and pushed it from her arms, letting the fabric pool on the ground at her feet. The body revealed stopped his heart. It raced a moment later with the need to possess her. He held it at bay. He wanted to sear her image into his memory.

Ethan swept his gaze over Hannah, thankful the nearly full moon combined with his enhanced vision allowed him to take in the details. “Mmm…I don’t know where to start.”

Noah brushed his thumb over Hannah’s lips. “Start with a kiss.”

So he did. Ethan devoured her, and she clung to him and accepted his wild loving.

Perfect. She was absolutely perfect. He would’ve told her, but words were beyond him. Lust ruled him. He lowered her to the ground. The softness of her robe met his hands. Noah must’ve spread it on the ground for them or Ethan had found it by luck. Either way, he settled Hannah on the material and poised himself over her. “Tonight I’ll claim your body, Hannah. Tomorrow, I’ll own your soul. From now until the end of time, you’ll be mine.”

“Ethan.” She rested her hand against his cheek “Yes, claim me. Now.”

Before he could, Noah grasped his chin and urged Ethan to look at him. His green-eyed gaze captured Ethan’s. Excitement and lust burned in its depths. Seeing his lover’s desire-ridden expression aroused him, but that wasn’t all. It connected them. The three of them. It didn’t matter if only Ethan and Hannah would come together this first time. Noah was a part of their loving, sharing this moment with them.

“Take our female to heaven, Ethan. Show her ecstasy, the same you’ve given to me.”

Ethan opened his mouth slightly, needing Noah too. Noah took the invitation, kissing him slowly. He held still, enjoying Noah’s lips on his and the soft caresses of fingers against his skin. Hannah’s delicate ones swiped over his spine, while Noah’s roughened thumb stroked his jaw.

Finally, Noah tore his mouth from Ethan’s. Noah didn’t say anything else. He didn’t have to speak. The look in his eyes conveyed everything. He loved Ethan. Wanted him happy. At the moment, Ethan knew exactly what would do that. Hannah. Loving her for the first time.

“Ethan.”

He glanced into her face. The same look of longing Noah wore was displayed in her expression. He brushed his thumb over the corner of her mouth. “Are you ready for me?”

“Yes.”

“Good, because so am I.”

Ethan took what he’d waited a lifetime for, loving Hannah with everything he had. Heaven. That was what she was to him. His personal sanctuary.

“Hannah.” He rained kisses over her face. “Love you. I love you.”

She kissed him back, giving him everything and taking him to heaven.

The magic of the Kagan’s pack spirit hovered in the air around them, blessing them. It was eager to lock them together in such a primal way, making them yearn eternally for each other. The spirit wolf wanted their happiness. So did he. So did Noah. He knelt on the other side of Hannah, his gaze on Ethan. Need flared in his eyes along with hunger. Ethan took in Hannah’s sated and sleepy expression, then focused on Noah. “Let’s hold our female for a little while. I want her to feel our love for her.”

“Yeah, I’d like that.” Noah settled behind her and gently laid a hand on her side.

She leaned into Noah and turned her head for his kiss without opening her eyes. He took it, slowly twining his tongue with hers, not to arouse her but to love her. It was as erotic for Ethan to witness as it had been to see her spread out beneath him.

A sense of rightness settled over him. He’d found his true mate and the mate of his heart. He only hoped he could keep them both safe. Hannah’s pack might accept their unconventional bond, blessing them as their pack spirit had, but would his pack feel the same? Or would they be targeted exactly as Noah’s last mate had been sacrificed?

Michael’s death wouldn’t eliminate every threat to Ethan’s lovers. Michael had years to make plans to punish those who attempted to take him out. His threats would linger long past his death, and it wouldn’t be loyalty that made Ethan’s pack mates keep their promises to their old alpha. Fear would make them betray Ethan.

And how was he supposed to counter it when he didn’t know who’d been manipulated by Michael?

Hannah broke the kiss she shared with Noah and held her hand out to Ethan. “Hold me too. I want both of your hands on me.”

He twined his fingers with hers and let the concern for the future fade. One day at a time. Every one he shared with Hannah and Noah was one he’d treasure. For them, Ethan would find a way to counter every threat. He would protect them and his pack.

No other option was acceptable.