Holding Honor (Ashland Pride Nine)

by R. E. Butler

  He was so handsome, and she was getting her first good look at his upper body, which was deliciously muscled. A purr rumbled in his chest, and she smiled.

  “What’s going to happen?” she asked.

  “Whatever you want.”

  “Have you ever done this before?”

  His upper lip curled. “Hell no. You’re our mate, Honor. There’s no one we would mate with like this except for you.”

  Her eyes widened for a moment at his outburst, and then she relaxed with a chuckle. “I actually meant if you and Holden had ever shared a female before, not if you’d ever mated anyone.”

  The fire in his eyes died. “Oh, sorry. No, actually; Holden and I didn’t expect to share a mate. The males in King don’t seem to do that, so until we moved to Ashland, we weren’t around anyone who was in a multiple-mating.”

  She mulled on that for a moment. “Do the males in King think it’s strange that the Ashland pride has multiple-matings?”

  “Yeah,” he said with a chuckle. “When Melody came to King, her mates said some males thought there was something wrong with them for wanting to share her. Holden and I thought we might share a mate, but we weren’t really sure until we found you.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Well, if we were meant to share then we knew that we’d both be attracted to you and feel that connection, and that you’d want both of us, too. If it wasn’t meant to be, then one of us wouldn’t feel that connection.”

  She nodded, thankful that both Holden and Jackson felt as connected to her as she did to them.

  The bathroom door opened and Holden stepped out. He was dressed just like Jax, except the button of his jeans was undone, as if he’d been too hurried to fix it. She liked the way he prowled toward her, every step intentional and unhurried, his eyes fixed on her as if she were the most important thing in the universe to him.

  “We need to talk,” Jax reminded him.

  “Yeah, but how about on the bed?” Holden asked, stopping in front of her and offering his hand.

  She took it and allowed him to pull her up. Her body brushed against his, her curves to his tight muscles, and every feminine instinct within her cheered.

  He led her to the bed and lifted her up, setting her in the center. The robe slipped off her shoulder, but she didn’t bother to fix it, too entranced with the males climbing onto the bed to move at all.

  “We can go as far as you want,” Jax said. “Or we can talk and go to sleep without doing anything. Whatever you want is what we want.”

  “I want it all,” she said. “I want the two of you with me, however that happens, and I want to be yours in truth.”

  “Then we need to talk fast,” Holden said, “because we want all of that, too.”

  “Our people,” Jax said, taking one of her hands, “don’t really have any mating rituals because we didn’t mate for life. When we started to find mates outside of the mountain lion females, we made our own rituals, depending on what the female was and what the group wanted to do. No matter the other things that happen, the marking is what binds the group together: the males bite the female on her neck, and the marks scar. The scars show her as mated to anyone who sees them.”

  “Does the female bite the males?” she asked.

  “Some do and some don’t. It’s up to you.”

  “I want people to know you’re mated.”

  “Then give us marks, and we’ll wear them proudly,” Holden said.

  She stared at his throat, unable to think of anything except putting her teeth in his flesh. Suddenly, it was all she wanted to do, and she wanted their marks as well.

  “I bit you already,” she said, looking at Jax and then at Holden. “I bit both of you.”

  Jax showed her his palm; she could see the scarred marks from her fangs. Mentally, she asked her cat if she knew what she was doing then. All she got was a happy purr in answer.

  “I still want your fangs in my neck,” he said.

  Holden nodded. “Me, too.”

  “When do we mark each other?” she asked.

  “When we make love,” Jax said. “We’ll make you feel really good first so you’re not as aware of the bites. Our fangs need to break the skin, and that comes with some pain.”

  “Okay,” she said. “Do you want me to make you feel really good, too?”

  Jax chuckled. “You first, babe.”

  Holden moved behind her, rising onto his knees and gathering her hair in one hand. Jax leaned forward and kissed her. He swiped his tongue along the seam of her lips and she opened them, shivering as his tongue connected with hers. As Jax teased her tongue, Holden bared her neck and kissed slowly from her ear down to her shoulder. He let go of her hair and pushed the robe off her other shoulder. Her nipples tightened, the soft fabric brushing against them as it fell to her waist.

  Jax eased from the kiss, nibbling on her lips, and lowered his gaze to her breasts.

  “Fucking magnificent,” he murmured, running his fingers lightly over her skin.

  Holden pressed against her back and tipped her chin, until she was looking at him. “It’s my turn for another kiss, sweetheart.”

  Holden devoured her mouth, groaning when their tongues touched. He cupped her other breast, squeezing it and running his thumb over her nipple. She felt Jax’s mouth close over her nipple and she moaned, Holden eating the sound as if it were food he could live on. She reached for both her mates, sliding her hands into their hair and fisting the strands. She held Jax close to her, wanting him to keep licking and tugging at her nipple.

  Jax growled softly against her nipple and undid the tie of her robe. She panted for breath as she watched Jax open the robe slowly. Holden helped pull it from her body, and then he was at her back again, his mouth on her neck and his hands cupping her breasts. Jax held her gaze as he reached down to tease her pussy, rubbing his fingers up and down, barely grazing her clit. He pushed his finger inside her so slowly that she thought she’d go up in flames. Letting out a moan, she spread her legs farther apart and gave him more access. Jax pulled his finger out just as slowly, and then as he pushed in again, he pressed his thumb to her clit. Her body throbbed as he added a second finger and circled her tight bud. He curled his fingers and rubbed her inner walls, and her body tightened, her legs shaking as he touched something deep inside her.

  She let out a sharp gasp and grabbed Jax’s wrist, keeping it in place. He chuckled with a growl and rubbed that place inside her more firmly.

  Holden pinched her nipples and tugged on them, she pressed back against him as heat flooded through her. Just a heartbeat before she came, Holden bit her neck, sinking his fangs into her flesh. She screamed as her climax struck, her stomach fluttering and her pussy gripping Jax’s fingers. Holden extracted his fangs and licked the marks, and although she smelled blood, she didn’t feel any pain. Jax eased his fingers from her and sucked on them, his eyes hooded and flashing with heat.

  She pushed on Jax’s shoulders and he stretched out on the bed. She crawled over him, undoing his jeans and shoving them down to free his cock. He was thick and long. The velvety feel of his skin over the hard length of him made her mouth water, but she wanted to make love to him first, to know what it was like to have him inside her. She straddled him, gripping his cock and slowly lowering herself onto him, the slickness from his attentions making it easy. The broad head stretched her soaked pussy and she groaned as she slid down on Jax by slow inches, throwing her head back when their bodies touched.

  Pausing for a moment to just revel in the feel of Jax inside her, Honor lowered her head and planted one hand on his chest, over his heart. His eyes were bright amber and she could feel the rumble of his purr in his chest. Holden lowered his jeans and revealed his cock, stepping closer to the side of the bed when she beckoned. She grasped him, stroking him from root to tip. Using her hand for leverage, she began to move on Jax as she stroked Holden. Her wildest fantasies were coming true, and it was even hotter than she imagined.

/>   Jax wrapped his hands around her waist, lifting and lowering her on him as she kept the same tempo on Holden’s cock. Jax growled, sliding his hands up her sides and pulling her down by her shoulders. He began to pump into her swiftly, his hips jerking up and down. Then Jax struck, his fangs sinking into the other side of her neck and sending a riot of sensations cascading through her. Jax lifted from her and groaned as he thrust into her once and then again, his cock thickening as he came, a groan pushing from his lips.

  He kissed her, his fingers sliding into her hair and holding her close as his tongue played with hers. He ended the kiss and gazed at her rapturously; then he tilted his head and exposed his neck. Without a thought, her fangs descended and she bit him. She could taste his blood and feel the connection between them as mates solidify.

  Pulling her fangs gently from his neck, she kissed the wound and smiled at him. “Mine.”

  “Forever, babe,” he said roughly.

  She looked at Holden and realized that in the throes of passion she’d stopped jerking him off. “Come inside me,” she murmured.

  “I’ve thought of nothing else since we met,” he said, moving back on the bed.

  She slid off Jax and rolled to her back, reaching for Holden. He settled between her thighs and sank into her pussy. Their bodies came together again and again, until he was roaring his pleasure to the ceiling and she’d marked his neck.

  He collapsed to her side with a satisfied groan and pulled her against him, kissing her soundly.

  “You’re mine, too,” she said, brushing her fingers down his jaw.

  “Damn straight,” he said with a smile. “And you’re ours.”

  Holden moved to her back, caging her between them. He kissed her shoulder and slid his hand slowly down her stomach. “Ready for round two?”

  “Just for the record,” she said as she opened her legs for his questing fingers, “you never have to ask. I will always be up for this.”

  Chapter 5

  When Jax woke in the morning with Honor nestled between him and his brother, he thought that he’d never been happier. They’d made love half the night, and learning what she liked, finding out what she sounded like when she fell apart, had been amazing. He felt sincerely connected to her now, as if their shared marks and making love had solidified the mating. It hardly seemed possible that after waiting for so many months, never knowing where she was, they would be at this place finally. He was anxious to get her home to Ashland, but he didn’t want to spoil the morning by waking her or Holden up.

  As if on cue, his phone buzzed with a text alert. He realized it was in his jeans, which were on the floor and too far away for him to reach.

  “Is that me or you?” Holden whispered.

  “Me,” he said.

  Honor murmured something unintelligible and rolled over to face Holden. Jax grinned at his brother before slipping from the bed to get his phone.

  “It’s from James,” he said, reading the text. “Honor’s father wants us to call him as soon as possible. He’d like to video chat if we can. James told him about the curse being broken and her captivity with the females, and that we were her mates and we’re bringing her home.”

  Honor sat up abruptly. “My dad?”

  Jax sat on the edge of the bed and showed her the text. “I sent a note to James while we were on the road and asked him to find your dad’s information. I didn’t expect him to call him directly, but that saves you from having to explain everything.”

  “Do you think he believes James?” she asked.

  “Why wouldn’t he?” Holden asked.

  “It’s just so crazy, isn’t it? That there was a goddess who cursed the females because they were jealous of how much attention the males paid her, and now, eons later, our people are still cursed and miserable. It sounds like a fantasy novel.”

  Jax agreed. He’d grown up with the females before anyone knew about the curse and the reason for their behavior. He’d witnessed the changes to not only Jilly but Honor, and he still found it fantastical.

  “Your dad will be able to tell how different you are just by talking to you.”

  She exhaled shakily. “I haven’t seen him in fifteen years, and before that I hadn’t spoken to him once I left home at sixteen. I just… packed and left one day. He must hate me.”

  Holden took her hand. “I don’t think so. I can’t speak for him, of course, but if he’s willing to talk to you there’s not going to be any hate there. I can tell you that John said that he would’ve done anything Jilly asked, even if she was still cursed. Lion males love their kids, no matter what.”

  “I’m so glad you’re here with me. I wouldn’t want to do this on my own.”

  Jax kissed her temple. “We wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.”

  “I should clean up and maybe put clothes on, yeah?” she asked with a smile.

  “If you must,” Holden said, chuckling.

  She disappeared into the bathroom with her bag while Holden and Jax got dressed. Jax replied to James, thanking him for the message and for getting in touch with Elijah.

  James responded, When will you be back in Ashland?

  Late tonight, Jax texted.

  John, Rue, and I will be in the kitchen to welcome you home. The pride wants to have breakfast together tomorrow morning.

  Holden leaned over Jax’s shoulder and read the texts. He hummed. “Not surprised.”

  Jax nodded. “The pride always supports their own.”

  Honor came out of the bathroom a few minutes later, wearing a short-sleeved top the exact shade of blue as her eyes, and a pair of jeans with a fashionable rip above the knee. “Do I look okay?”

  “Of course, you’re gorgeous,” Holden said.

  “I think you’re biased.” She smirked, but then smiled. “Thanks.”

  Holden ran down to the lobby and brought coffee back for all of them. Jax used his bag to elevate the phone on the coffee table, with a pillow behind it to keep it propped up. He opened the video call app and adjusted the screen until Honor was centered.

  “I’ve never done this kind of thing before,” she said.

  Holden sat down next to her. “We’re right here. It’ll be great. Who doesn’t love a family reunion?”

  “Okay, I’m ready,” she said.

  Jax pressed the button to call Elijah. As the call went through, Jax thought about her father. He was the principal at King High School, and Jax remembered him being kind and fair, the sort of principal who really cared for his students and wanted them all to succeed.

  The screen blinked and then Elijah’s face appeared.

  He gasped. “Honor!”

  “Hi Dad,” she said. “Oh my gosh. I can’t believe how good you look.”

  “Oh, me?” he asked with a chuckle, running his hand over his head. “I’m losing my hair with all these teenagers on their phones nowadays. What I have left is turning gray.”

  “You have laugh lines,” she said. “That’s a sign that you’ve had a good life.”

  “It’s better now if you’re really cured and coming home.”

  Jax stifled the urge to growl at the idea that Honor wasn’t going to be home in Ashland, where his and Holden’s home was. But as quickly as the worry surfaced, it disappeared. It didn’t matter to him where they lived as long as they were with Honor. If she wanted to be in Ashland, or King, or somewhere else entirely, then that was okay with him.

  His attention swung back to the conversation as Honor rehashed the last few years of her life. She cried at times, and her sorrow was palpable, but he couldn’t miss how happy she was to be talking to her dad.

  “Why wouldn’t they let you leave if you were different?” her dad asked. “I understand the curse – well, I mean as much as anyone can understand something like that – but if you wanted to leave, why did they lock you up?”

  She shrugged. “They don’t like anything different. I think the curse makes them suspicious of that kind of thing. They might not even understand w
hy they wanted to keep me locked up, but they did it anyway.”

  Elijah sighed deeply. “I’m so sorry that I didn’t know you were being poisoned by the females. I watched your personality change every few years without knowing the reason. It was just something all the males accepted.”

  “It’s not your fault, Dad.”

  “Yeah, it is. We never questioned things. No other shifter group is like ours, and we’ve always just gone along with it. I should have fought for you. I should’ve known there was something wrong.”

  She sniffled and wiped at her cheeks. “You don’t need to apologize. I’m sorry for everything.”

  “If I forgive you then you have to forgive me, okay?” Elijah smiled, his brown eyes glistening with tears.

  “Deal,” she said. She inhaled and then exhaled slowly. “Dad, I wanted to ask you about my daughter.”

  Elijah’s brows rose. “Sure, what about her?”

  Honor blinked rapidly a few times. “Is she okay? Is she poisoned like I was? Where is she? What happened to Silas?”

  “First of all, your daughter, Hope, is wonderful. She’s fifteen and in tenth grade. She’s so smart, just like you. There was a time when her behavior changed a little when she was about four, but I only see rare glimpses of that dispassionate temperament. You said the females poisoned you three times?”

  She nodded. “At four, nine, and fourteen.”

  “Well, the females were gone from King before she turned nine, so I think she was only poisoned once, and I don’t believe it was enough to really change her personality.”

  “Who is she living with?”

  “Me,” Elijah said matter-of-factly. “Silas was killed by a car while crossing the street. His father moved out of state before Hope was born, so Silas put me in his will to be her guardian if something should happen to him.

  “Hope has your eyes and sassiness, and she’s smart as a whip. She calls me Pop. She knows that I’m her grandfather and that you weren’t going to be around. There are a few females in King now, but they’re children, and none of them are behaving as if they’re cursed.”