I paced the bedroom I shared with Von. Why I went to the room instead of going for a run, I hadn’t a clue. Part of me hoped Cassia would follow me. The other part wanted to run away from it all.
My whole fucking life was taken from me the day the witch bound Von and I and set our futures out of our control. I blamed my mom, Harrison, and even Von at times. But that wasn’t fair to my best friend. He was stuck just like I was.
The idea that Harrison played us the whole time pissed me off all the more. It made me want to make Harrison the hunted. A growl ripped from me, and I crossed the room to the door. When I jerked it open, I froze. Cassia stood in the doorway with her hand raised as if she were about to knock.
She smiled. “Hi.”
Fuck me. She was beautiful and smelled good. It took every ounce of my control to not bury my nose into her neck. “Hi.”
“We need to talk.” She pushed past me. “Close the door, please.”
Amusement twisted my lips into a small smile. She was polite when she was being bossy. “Have you come here to claim me?”
I meant the words as a joke to ease my own raw, feral mood. But hearing them out loud made me wish I hadn’t spoke at all. Cassia turned to face me, one side of her sensual mouth lifted. “Only if that’s what you want. If it’s not, then I’ll have to let Von go too. Or you too could find a way to break your bond.”
Negative. My bear growled the word in my head. I couldn’t imagine a future without Von at my side. He was my best friend. My brother. We’d even agreed to find a mate we could share. I just never dreamed that mate would also come with two others.
I studied Cassia and she stared back at me. Her eyes were the color of emeralds, just like her father’s. The only thing I knew about her was she had a sister, Brooke. That was only because Brooke was being hunted too. Although no one knew where she was. Except maybe Cassia. “Why don’t you just choose one mate? The rest of us would still help fight Harrison then part ways when it’s over.”
She winced and averted her gaze. Creases formed on her forehead. Then she shook her head and hugged herself. A sadness fell over her, making me feel like an ass for suggesting it. But it was a reasonable suggestion. Wasn’t it?
“I can’t,” she said softly. “I know it sounds crazy and maybe selfish but I can’t ignore my intuition telling me to claim each of you.” She glanced up and I cursed. Her eyes shone with unshed tears. “This feeling, urge, or whatever it is goes much deeper than my wolf wanting a mate. I can’t explain it.”
I was an ass. Crossing the distance, I pulled her into my arms. Instantly she hugged me tight and pressed her cheek to my chest. Relief flowed through me and my bear rubbed against where she pressed into me. The beast wanted his mate. Looks like we have to share.
Lifting her chin so our gazes locked, I told her something no one but Von knew. “I understand. My great grandmother was a witch. A powerful, full-blooded elemental witch. She claimed three mates as her family. My mom said it was a way to balance her powers and protect her coven.”
A brilliant smile lifted Cassia’s lips. “And one of her mates was a bear.”
I nodded. “My mom meant well and believed she was doing the right thing by binding me to Von. But I’m not so sure anymore. At first, we believed we were fulfilling our destiny and on the right side. The more we learned about the hybrids…”
I released her and moved to the sliding glass door that led out onto the balcony. Cassia’s soft footsteps told me she followed. She slipped an arm around my waist and leaned into me. “Now your pissed that Harrison wants us all dead. Because it could have been your grandmother or mom that was hunted down.”
“Yes.” I kissed the top of her head. “It was easier to believe the ones we hunted were rogue. In the last year, Von and I started letting them go. We’d catch them and get them to give us something to proof to Harrison they were dead. Then we’d give them the phone number to a contact at Sunshine Lives.”
She jerked her head up, her eyes widened. “You know about that?”
“Lewis can be very persuasive. He’s taking back the council.”
“I know. I worry for his safety going against Harrison. It’s harder when I can’t talk to Dad to see want is going on.” She fisted her hand in my shirt and I sensed the anxiety building inside her, bleeding into the bond I shared with Von.
“Hey.” I turned and framed her face in my hands. “Lewis has allies both within the council and outside. He’s been able to get over half the Hunters on his side.”
The ones who were loyal to Harrison were just as power hungry and evil. I kept that to myself even though Cassia probably already knew.
“I can still worry.” She gave a halfhearted smiled. Her strawberry and lavender scent sharpened then softened as her emotions roll off her.
Dipping my head, I claimed her mouth. Sensations exploded within at the connection. Raw hunger like I’ve never experienced gripped me by the balls and the heart. She was mine. And she tasted of heaven and home.
She wrapped her arms around my neck then hopped up to wrap her legs around my waist. I started moving. The destination was the bed. I had to have her. The need to be buried deep inside her was too much for me to ignore.
I broke the kiss and trailed my lips down her jaw to her throat while lowering us to the bed. Cassia growled and groaned at the same time. The sound sent a heatwave of desire rushing through my veins.
I rocked my hips into her core and she whimpered. My bear roared, wanting to claim her. “I want you.”
“Yes.” She tugged at the hem of my shirt.
I rose up and ripped my shirt off and threw it to the floor. A wicked smiled formed on her face right before she shoved me, making me fall on my back on the bed. She giggled, then licked my stomach just above the waist of my jeans. Pleasure rippled through me, setting every nerve ending on fire.
Just as she unbuttoned my jeans and lowered the zipper a knock sounded on the door. Cassia and I growled at the same time. Then she laughed.
Sitting up, I kissed her mouth, lingering for a few moments. “Whatever Von wants better be important.”
“I agree. Unless he’s coming to join us.” She waggled her brows. My dick stood to attention at the idea of the three of us tangled together. Cassia sighed and frowned. “Eli is with him.”
With a growl, I got off the bed. She must have sensed Eli like I could Von. After all, she was bonded to Eli. When I reached the door, I yanked it open and scowled at the two males outside. Von glanced to my undone jeans then to Cassia behind me. A slow smile formed.
Eli, however, wasn’t as amused. “We found where the candle is.”
Cassia
They found the candle? That was fast. I jumped off the bed and rushed to the guys in the doorway. “Where is it? When do we leave?”
Eli shook his head. “You aren’t going anywhere. Von and Gunner will go. You, Dare, and I are staying here.”
I crossed my arms and glared at him. “Why can’t we all go?”
“Because,” Eli stepped into my space. I straightened my spine and stared into his blue depths as he spoke. The other guys tensed but didn’t move. “You are safer here for now. Plus, there was a map of the location the candle could be at on the flash drive. We aren’t sure it’s actually there.”
Or that it might be a trap. He didn’t say the words out loud, but I heard them in my mind. I wasn’t sure if he pushed the thought to me or my telepathy was picking up on his even with the wall I built around the ability.
I pursed my lips and thought back to him, “The possibility of a trap is why we should all go.”
Eli’s pupils expanded, dominating his blue irises. A growl rumbled from his chest. “Don’t argue with me. Your safety is our priority.”
Gunner held up and hand. “Wait. Are you two mind-linking?”
I glanced at Gunner, then Von and released a frustrated groan. “Eli thinks it might be a trap.”
Von shrugged. “Of course, it is. That’s why you aren’t going.”
I threw my hands up and marched back to the bed. When I got there, I jumped on it landing on my back and bounced once. “Fine. If you die, I’ll have Reese find your ghosts and I’ll kick your asses.”
I sensed and heard the guys advance to the bed, but I didn’t look at them. I wanted to be mad. Von crawled on the bed and cuddled up to me first. Gunner climbed on the other side of me. They kissed my cheeks at the same time. Von said, “We won’t die so there will be no ghost ass-kicking.”
I held in the giggle bubbling within me. “You to just be careful. I’m getting used to having you in my family.”
Gunner cupped my chin and turned my face so I met his gaze. “I look forward to many years and centuries with you and annoying the others.”
The giggle burst through my control. He kissed my lips and I sighed, pressing into him. Von kissed my neck, then said, “We should be going.”
I turned my attention to Von and framed his face. “Be safe.”
I really didn’t know why I was so concerned about them leaving. It could be my need for control over everything in my life. I wanted to go to protect them. That was my dominant female nature. My wolf wanted her mates close and away from Harrison’s threat.
Von and Gunner were strong males. Why was I so anxious about this mission? Besides, I couldn’t go. I needed a mission of my own while they were gone. I couldn’t just sit around and wait.
As if picking up on my thoughts, Eli said, “Dare and I can go through your father’s files and notes and form a plan.”
I sat up. Yes. I can do that. I wanted to know why the candle was so important. Other than it belonged to Carlyn. “We do need a plan.”
Gunner kissed me quick after he stood. I breathed him in. He stepped away, his eyes flashing crimson briefly. “We’ll be back before you know it.”
Von stepped into my line of sight. I fisted his shirt and pulled him down to claim his mouth. “You better be.”
Von smiled wickedly and pressed his lips to my forehead. “See you soon.”
They left and I stared at the door. Dare held out his head. “Come on. Look through your father’s files while I make you lunch.”
Eli catch I attention as he frowned and shook his head. “I haven’t used the house in a while and haven’t gone shopping.”
My stomach rumbled and my wolf scratched at my insides, wanting out. “We could go on a hunt.”
The guys’ eyes sparked with their animals looking out at me. I felt Eli’s wolf pace since he came into the room. He blocked his emotions from me so I couldn’t tell if it was out of jealousy or the wolf just needed to run.
After climbing off the bed, I darted past the males to the stairs. I was out the back door before they reached the first floor. I shifted into my wolf, not caring that my clothes would dissolve during the shift, as I entered the thick trees surrounding the lake house.
Dare was the first to catch up to me. Not surprising since he had heightened strength and speed. His large brown bear nudged me as we ran, throwing me off balance. I stumbled and my paws tangled with one another, causing me to fall and slide on the ground. I held in the laugh building and laid as still as I could.
Dare inched close to me and huffed, then rubbed his head against mine. Eli stood behind me and growled low. I cracked my eye lids just enough to see them. Dare shifted back to human, and naked. Desire burst to life in my core. Since we hadn’t formed a bond, he couldn’t use my telepathy to mind-link with me, which made my teasing all the more effective.
Stroking my fur, starting at my head and running down my back, Dare said. “I’m sorry. Are you hurt?”
“She’s not hurt,” Eli said. He was in his delicious, naked human form as well and running his fingers through my fur.
The laughter I was holding burst from me. I shifted back to my human form and rolled to my back to look at both of them. They didn’t remove their hands. Heat flooded my body as Eli slid his hand up my ribs to cup my breast.
Dare glanced at Eli then back to me. “Let’s go for a swim.”
“The water is cold,” I protested.
Eli chuckled as he grabbed my hand and pulled me to a stand. “It won’t be for long.”
Sparks of desire flared to life in my core. Was he actually going to share me with Dare? I stared at him as we walked to the lake a few yards from us. “Are you sure?”
Eli met my stare from over his shoulder, then stopped. “Yes.”
“What changed?”
Dare wrapped his arms around me from behind. His hard cock pressed into my back. A soft groan escaped me.
“That reaction…” Eli stepped closer and framed my face. “It’s still strange to me, but your reaction to them is hot. And the way Von and Gunner cuddled you earlier didn’t send me into a jealous rage like I thought it would.”
I relaxed and kissed him. “I’m starting to get used to having all four of you around. We still have to things to work out and it’s not going to be perfect. But as the bonds grow stronger, I’m starting to understand why I need each of you.”
It went beyond fighting Harrison. The urge to mate them was soul deep. The Fates had pulled us together for a reason. What that reason was other than banding together against Harrison and helping the council rebuild the trust within the para communities.
Eli’s tugged me forward into the lake. The cold water lapped at my skin, sending chills all over my body.
Turning to face me, Eli drew me closer until our bodies meshed together. Hi kiss was demanding and gentle at the same time. I moaned and flattened my hands to his chest. His muscles flexed under my touch as he moved in to deepen the kiss.
I slid my hands up his chest to wrap one arm around his neck and the other fisted in his hair. His tongue licked the seam of my lips and I instantly opened for him, tangling mine with his in a sensual dance that made my pussy ache with need.
Behind me Dare circled my waist with one arm while his free hand trailed over my hip until it found my stomach and lower. When Dare cupped me, I broke the kiss with Eli on a gasp. Dizzying desire washed over me.
There were too many sensations. My body felt as though it was on fire—the cold water long forgotten. Tiny pricks skated over my flesh, making the need rolling through me intensify. With a growl, I drew Eli’s head back down for another kiss. Dare’s erection pressed into my back.
I broke the kiss with Eli and twisted to face Dare. I nipped playfully at Dare’s lower lip, drawing out a growl from him. His chest rumbled with the sound, vibrated into me. My wolf whimpered as need crashed over us. Dare kissed me hard, thrusting his tongue inside.
A soft moan escaped me as Eli’s lips touched my neck. My legs began to shake. Dare cupped my ass and lifted me. I wrapped my legs around him, trapping his cock between us, grinding against him. Each movement splashed the water around us, causing ripples of tiny waves. Butterflies swarmed inside my stomach, and my pussy throbbed.
Dare cupped my breast and rolled the nipple between his fingers as Eli teased my ass with the head of his cock. My heart hammered and my body heated up. Eli bit down on my neck gently then said, “I’m going to fuck you ass while Dare is buried inside you.”
Fuck yeah.
Dare lifted me, then lowered me onto his cock. Eli pushed inside at the same time. I cried out, not prepared for the overwhelming sensations wrestling inside me. Pleasure, pain, desire, and raw emotions—too many for me to decipher—filled me. Having both of them inside me was amazing and unlike anything I’ve ever experienced. It was hot, erotic, and felt damn good.
Eli and Dare moved as a unit, thrusting inside me, going deeper and deeper. Pleasure built as sensations curled through me like a tidal wave crashing over them. Brilliant light exploded behind my eyes as I orgasmed.
That was when Dare bit me, claiming me as his. I scored his back with my nails and held him close. Eli hissed out a curse. “Claim him. Bring him into the family circle.”
Eli didn’t have to tell me twice. I clamped down on the curve of Dare’s neck where it met his shoulder and sank my teeth into him. My wolf howled in my head and I opened up to Dare, encouraging him to do the same. The mating link snapped in place and in a rush, Dare’s pleasure flooded me, increasing my own. Then something I hadn’t expected. The link between Eli and me shifted until it was connected to Dare’s and my bond.
The completed bond between us throbbed with passion and pleasure. The guys tensed around me and they moaned as they climaxed at the same time.
The three of us were a mated triad. I smiled. They were mine. Soon the other two would be brought into the circle.