“Please, I told you everything I know,” the Tiger pleaded. “Please don’t take me to the pit. Just kill me here if you’re going to. I would rather die here against this tree than to go into those dark recesses with whatever lives down there. Everyone knows you don’t come out of there alive.”
When nobody answered him, he began to panic. “Please. Someone listen to me. Please. I don’t want to die down there.”
Minco began walking away from him and stopped, rolling his eyes. As he spoke, he swung around, punching the Tiger Shifter right across the face. “Will you shut up!”
The Tiger Shifter’s head bounced to the side, and his eyes rolled back in his head. As he collapsed, he slid sideways across the tree and slumped over with this head pressed in the dirt. Minco stood up, rolling his shoulders and cracking his knuckles. He smiled at the silence that filled the space. Althea looked at him, chuckling at how rough and tough Minco really was. Even in situations like these, he still had a sense of humor.
Yansa nodded at the other Tiger Shifter. “Is he alive?”
Althea shook her head. “I think so. I can sense a bit of life force in him.”
Billy walked over and pressed his fingers to the Shifters throat. He looked up and shook his head in agreement. Yansa turned and looked at Althea in wonder. “How long have you been able to do that?”
Wiping the blood off of her knuckles onto the edge of her robe, Althea glanced up at Yansa. “How long ago was it that we came here and saw them fighting?”
Yansa thought about it. “About 30 minutes ago? Give or take.”
Althea patted him on the shoulder. “I’ve been able to do that for about 30 minutes, give or take.”
Yansa chuckled as he turned, following the others to pack up the camp so they could make their way back to the Settlement. He shook his head in wonder. “Fascinating.”
Chapter Thirteen
Althea and the guys stood outside of the meeting hall, watching as several of the guards dragged the Tiger Shifter off toward the pit. Yansa was cracking his back, having carried the Tiger Shifter unconscious the entire way. Out of the three guys, Yansa was the smallest of the Bears and though it was a tight squeeze, he was able to move through the thickest part of the forest without getting stuck. Granted, the Tiger Shifter pretty much had his face in the bushes the entire time, but none of them really cared about that. In their opinion, he was lucky to still be alive.
One of Long Claw’s staff stuck his head out of the doorway of the meeting area and cleared his throat. Althea and the guys looked over, finding him waving them in. Walking into the room, they found the Clan Alpha standing, nervously waiting for them. As soon as he saw them, he let out a deep breath and hurried over giving each of them a hug. “I’m so glad to see all of you alive and well for that matter.”
“The guys fought valiantly,” Althea said.
Billy chuckled. “We’re pretty sure that Althea has received some of her powers. They are very interesting to say the least.”
Long Claw chuckled and ushered them over to the large table with food on it. As they ate, Althea told him what they found out. “According to our prisoner, the Tiger Alpha has teamed together with some of the others to remove me from my position. They want to lead the Earth Sigil on their own. He didn’t say who the other Alphas were, and I’m pretty sure he didn’t know, though it could’ve been fear as well.”
Long Claw sat back in his chair, stroking his chin. “I see. Well, I’m not at all surprised by this. The Tigers have been moving further and further away from a collective Shifter race under the Earth Sigil ever since the new leader took over the Clan. His reign wasn’t passed down through the generations as yours or mine was. The Tiger Alpha challenged the former Alpha, killed him, and took over the position.”
Althea furled her brow. “Why didn’t the other Tiger’s rise up?”
“Within the Tiger Shifter race, they are very much led by their Alpha. It’s almost instinct. There are only a few here and there that are willing to challenge that position. Once it’s taken, it could be held for generations. Usually, if the Alpha is a bad seed, it only gets worse as they pass on the position.”
Althea groaned crossing her arms over her chest. “That doesn’t sound good. I’m still curious as to how I didn’t know about this new leader of the Tiger Clan.”
Long Claw smiled. “That would be because he didn’t come to your meeting. Everything was so rushed that I don’t think anybody but me noticed. But there is more, something we picked up while you were gone.”
Althea sat up in her chair, curious. “Okay, anything will help at this point.”
The Clan Alpha glanced over at Minco and the guys. “Some of the guards caught the trail of two other types of Shifters while you were gone.”
He paused, looking nervous. Althea looked at the others who were scarfing down food. “Alright, which ones are they?”
Long Claw cleared his throat apprehensively. “Well, they caught the trail of a Bull Shifter and… Well, they caught the trail of a Dryad as well.”
Althea glanced over as all of the guys stopped mid-chew, the food dropping from their hands. She thought back to her lessons of the different types of Shifters. “The Dryad… Those are very rare types of Shifters, aren’t they? We don’t even have connections with them within the Council. For all we knew there was only one or two in the whole world.”
Billy cleared his throat. “And they’re incredibly dangerous. If the Bull and the Tiger have brought in a Dryad they’re dead serious about this.”
Althea shook her head. “And what they don’t realize is that I'm dead serious about it too. And I have the upper hand. I don’t care what kind of Shifter they are, they’re not going to come in and completely rearrange everything that we have going. My mother worked for decades bringing peace to the Shifter Clans, and bringing peace to all the Sigils as well. My job, is to continue that work until we are one large community and family that look out for each other. It’s these kinds of bad seeds that need to be eradicated.”
Long Claw looked proud, watching Althea as she slipped into her position with ease. She looked around at the guys. “I think it’s important that we all rest for the night, we not only hiked very far, but Billy and Minco were the ones that fought the Tiger Shifters. Tomorrow morning we’ll head back out and try to find them. It should be a little bit easier now that we know what we’re looking for.”
The Clan Alpha looked worried. “We could always send the guards out instead. They’re more than capable of tracking.”
Althea shook her head. “I can’t do that. I can’t risk the lives of others because someone is after me. I also can’t leave this Settlement and go back to the castle without knowing for sure that you’re all safe. It’s my responsibility to ensure that. That was one of the biggest things that we were taught growing up, that when we reached our High Alpha status, we were responsible for all the different sectors of Shifters in the world. Not only that, we were responsible for those that could be injured by a Shifter. Basically, as High Alphas we look out for everyone. If these three Alphas are out there and they’re trying to take down a High Alpha, then no one is safe. We’ve already seen them kill one of yours to get to me. They won’t stop there.”
Yansa wiped his mouth, and put his napkin in his lap. “As much as I don’t want to see the High Alpha out there fighting other Shifters, I think she’s right. To beat these three, it’s going to take a lot more than what our guards are capable of. It’s going to take powers beyond what we know as normal Bear Shifters. There’s a reason why the High Alphas are granted powers beyond what others are capable of by the Ancestors. While things have gotten more modern through the years, originally, the High Alpha led the armies. They fought at the frontlines. They protected everyone. Those powers haven’t gone away regardless of how sheltered we keep the High Alphas. There’s a reason for that.”
Everyone listen to Yansa speak, not just because of the melodic tone of his voice, but because of his int
ernal view of the past, present, and future. The Shaman of the Clan was one of the most trusted among the Shifters. Yansa leaned forward and clasped his hands together. “One of the dreams that I had several years ago was of the High Alphas battling others. It wasn’t a great war, but it was definitely not a small battle.”
Billy looked up. “Did they win?”
Yansa chuckled. “You know I can’t tell you that. I cannot play any part in the outcome of anything that I see. Just know that she’s made for this, and the stronger she grows the better off everyone will be.”
The Clan Alpha slapped his hands down on the arms of his chair and stood up. “Then it’s settled. I’ll respect your choice, Althea. I’m being called to meditation but I will come and see you guys off in the morning. Be safe. And know that there will always be a place for you to return to here.”
Althea nodded her head, smiling at him and watching as he walked out of the room. They all sat around quietly eating, contemplating what they would be handling the next day. When they were finished, they all decided to go back to Yansa’s house. It was the most comfortable out of all of their homes, and as soon as they got there, Yansa lit candles and incense trying to make it as relaxing of an atmosphere as possible for everyone. It was important that they had an evening of calm, free of conflict.
In the center of the living area, Yansa set up large soft pillows all over the floor making a giant bed. No one had to tell him that they all wanted to stay very close together. Althea laid down in the center, her hair sprawled out, her hands on her stomach. The three guys laid around her, all of their hands touching her as she was spread out like a star. Minco reached up and took one of her hands while Billy took the other. Above her, Yansa smoothed his hands through her hair, everyone staring up at the flickering shadows from the candles on the ceiling.
Every which way she turned, someone was touching Althea. It felt so intimate and so right that Althea couldn’t imagine it any other way. Minco always protected her. Althea’s body was the jewel he had chosen to keep safe from harm. Billy protected her mind, helping her to see more than just what lingered in front of her. He helped her dig through situations and find the most pertinent answers. Yansa coveted her soul, her spirit, and everything that connected her to the realms beyond the one she lived in. He was her access to the Ancestors, the aid to her wounded soul.
Each of the men possessed an important job, but on top of that, each one of them had a unique but sensual connection to Althea. The feeling of the men all around her was too tempting. Althea rolled over on her belly and looked at each of them. She moved over to Minco, leaning upside down over him, pressing her lips to his. The spark was starting to ignite.
She moved from Minco to Billy, kissing him deeply as he turned and faced her. Parting from his lips she smiled, moving over to Yansa. As soon as they touched the Aura erupted, spiraling around the room. The other two guys watched it in wonder before rising on their knees. Althea sat in the center of them, watching as they all slowly undressed. She touched them, putting out her hands and running them down the guy’s strong chests.
When they were undressed, they turned to her. Yansa pulled her shirt up over her head while Minco untied the drawstring on her pants. Billy moved behind her and kissed her shoulders softly as he unclasped her bra, letting her breasts spill out. When she was down to her panties, she took Yansa’s hand and stood up, looking at each of them in the eye as she slid them off and tossed them to the side.
She stood there for a moment, surrounded by the deep purple energy, feeling their eyes rolling over her. It was more erotic then anything she had ever felt before. Very slowly she sunk back down, laying flat on the pillows. The men encroached, Yansa spreading her legs open and crawling up between them. Althea gasped loudly as his tongue gently slid between her plump pink lips, rolling up to her clit. Minco leaned down and pressed his lips to hers, kissing her deep and hard. Billy stayed center, running his fingertips up her sides and cupping her breast. He leaned forward and sucked her nipple into his mouth, taunting it wildly with his tongue.
Althea moaned deeply into Minco’s mouth, feeling the softness of Yansa’s lips as he nibbled gently on her clit. Her hips rose upward and she swirled them, rubbing them over his tongue. She could feel herself getting hotter and hotter, and the mood began to flip, going from romantic to hot and lustful within seconds.
As Minco rose up, Althea ran one hand through Yansa’s hair and the other through Billy’s, keeping Minco’s eye contact at all times. She could feel herself growing weak in restraint and shook her head, lifting Yansa’s head up. “Not yet. I want more.”
Minco pushed her down with a grin. “There is much more to come.”
She closed her eyes with a smile and moaned loudly, lifting her chest up and down as Yansa licked her faster, pushing a finger inside of her and twisting as he pulled it back out.
“Yes,” she moaned, gripping onto her breasts, as Billy and Minco watched her, their cocks hard and ready.
Yansa shook his lips back and forth and sent his tongue straight up through her wetness, swirling it wildly around her clit. She reached out, gripping both Minco and Billy’s knees, her body going stiff as it vibrated wildly against Yansa’s mouth. She came hard and long, but it didn’t take away her desire, she just wanted more. When the tightness of her muscles subsided, she sat up, pushing Minco down on the ground. She crawled toward him, her eyes dark, and climbed on top of him. With a lick of her lips, she gripped his cock and hovered over it, slowly sliding down, taking it all into her.
As she began to rock against it, Billy came up next to her. She looked at him seductively. “Stand up.”
He did so and she wrapped her hand around him, leading him forward to her mouth. Slowly she slid her mouth down and over his dick, finding the base and pausing. Billy groaned, running his fingers over the top of her head. With her other hand, she reached out for Yansa, stroking his long cock with her small tight grip. Minco gripped her hips and moved her, sliding her up and down and back and forth as she sucked Billy hard.
Pulling back, she wiped her chin and looked up at him, biting her lip. She turned to Yansa and kissed him before picking herself up off of Minco and motioning for Billy to follow her down. She laid down on the cushions and he slid in front of her, gripping her thighs and pulling her toward him. He ran the tip of his cock through her wetness before thrusting hard and fast deep inside of her. She screamed out in passion, reaching to each side, yearning to touch both Minco and Yansa.
As Billy slammed into her, watching her intently, she went from Yansa to Minco, sucking their cocks deep into her throat. Every movement they made was hot, planned, perfect. The way Billy felt inside of her was more than she ever thought sex could be. Each way the men made love to her was different, but each way fit them so well.
Billy thrust into her one last time before scooting around her and allowing Yansa to move forward. He lifted her up to a seated position and turned her around, pulling her into his lap. She slowly sat down on his cock, gasping in ecstasy. She pulled Minco in front of her and looked up as she rolled her tongue around the head of his cock. With perfect rhythm she moved her body against Yansa, feeling the pleasure swelling inside of her. As she grew closer to orgasm, Minco and Billy took control, grabbing their cocks and stroking them as she watched, waiting for the explosion.
Yansa grunted deeply, grabbing her waist as she arched and released, her moans turning to screams of ecstasy. As she teetered on the edge of ecstasy, she opened her mouth, looking back and forth between Billy and Minco. Her fingers dug into her thighs and her eyes rolled back as she lost control, the orgasm slammed into her with a force and power that nearly knocked her over. Yansa gripped her tightly, growling deeply as he came hard, her hips still grinding against him. Billy and Minco watched as she reached up, still shaking in ecstasy and ran her hands on top of theirs as they stroked themselves to a peak.
The sounds of orgasm echoed through the house and the Aura whipped around them wildly u
ntil they all finally relaxed. The connection had been fully realized, and Althea never felt more powerful in her whole life.
Chapter Fourteen
After getting cleaned up, Althea wrapped herself in one of Yansa’s soft blankets and curled up with the three guys on the pillow bed on the floor. They all remained touching in some way, taking in the quiet and serenity of the shaman’s house.
“Our connection is amazing,” Althea said, her thighs still quivering. “It’s definitely more than what I imagined.”
Billy let out a long deep breath. “It’s absolutely more than I ever imagined.”
Minco looked over at Althea, and winked, tightening his hand around hers. Yansa lit more incense and laid back down nodding his head. “Even I couldn’t see this kind of connection. It’s definitely not explained thoroughly enough.”
Althea smiled, lying there thinking about it. Sure, she was attracted to each and every one of them, and they were attracted to her, but the connection was on a completely different level. She really didn’t even know how to put it into words. It was utterly unexplainable.
They all relaxed into the pillows, settling in for the evening. As Yansa reached over to blow out the candle, sirens began to go off all across the Settlement. Minco was the first to his feet, but Billy, Yansa, and Althea were right after him. They stood there listening to the sirens, Althea clutching her blanket to her chest. “What’s going on?”
Minco turned to her and put his hands on her shoulders. “It’s the siren for danger. Stay close to us. Don’t tackle anything on your own.”
Althea nodded, and they all raced around the house, finding their clothes and pulling them on. Althea pulled her hair back into a tight ponytail and quickly slipped into her boots, watching the guys as they waited at the door for her. They were faster than her, but it was mostly because neither Minco nor Billy had taken the time to put on a shirt.
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