by Tl Reeve
“I will.” She went to Cian, allowing him to go to Jacinda who’d been waiting by Jamie’s desk.
“What do you have?” Jacinda handed him a plastic bag with a note sitting inside. Zane ripped open the top, sniffing the contents. It was a vaguely familiar scent, one he couldn't place but had smelled before.
“I didn't scent anything,” Jacinda stated.
Zane looked up at her. “You wouldn't, all you smell are the pheromones Jamie is throwing off.” And yet another reason they needed to complete the mating. Jamie would continue to throw off pheromones, which would get stronger with each passing day until they completed the mating—and their Trinity. The Elder witches and wolves had a wicked sense of humor and deemed the closer the threesome got to the full moon the urge to fuck and mate would override all of their other senses. Each witch threw off a different pheromone based on their ability and who their mates were. It affected those outside of the Trinity differently. With Blake, it had caused him to feel lust to the point Zane realized last night, he’d been close to rut. The poor guy was still dealing with the aftereffects. With Jacinda and the other wolves in the office, it completely fucked up their sense of smell.
“May I ask if you scent something, Alpha?” Jacinda hedged.
“You may.” Zane sealed the bag.
“Is she the cause of all this?” By ‘she,’ Jacinda meant Jamie.
He didn’t answer. Instead, he walked over to the box with the blood-covered roses. Zane grabbed a pair of gloves out of his pocket and used one of them to pick up the flower. He inhaled. The smell was familiar. He’d scented it at the scene not more than twenty minutes ago. This was their Jane Doe’s blood. The sick bastard used it for his warning.
“Get this all to Matilda. Have her type and match this blood to today's victim,” Zane ordered as he tossed the glove into an evidence bag, just in case.
Alicia headed straight for him. She hadn’t been there when he arrived, but then again, she had her bakery to deal with, so he couldn’t blame her. “Alpha.” She nodded. “I came in late.”
“What can you tell me?” He offered her a seat, but she declined.
“Ava and Jamie were in my bakery this morning. Jamie bought a cinnamon roll and a pumpkin caramel latte.” She pointed to the cup on his mate’s desk and the half eaten roll. “As I was cleaning the glass door, I saw a delivery guy approach the office. He didn’t appear out of the ordinary, but his clothes and the name tag... It was all off.” She shook her head. “I should have followed my gut. I could have stopped him.”
Or, she could have gotten killed. “You did the right thing. Never doubt yourself. You could have been a hapless victim if he’d tried anything.”
She nodded. “I understand.”
“We’ll settle up on Jamie’s tab later,” Zane said.
“Thank you, Alpha, but you don’t have to. It’s my pleasure serving your mate. Plus, she said she would be entering the baking contest. I hope she wins.”
“Thank you, Alicia. If you think of anything else,” he said. “Please don’t hesitate to tell me.”
“I will.” As she headed out of the business, she stopped in front of Jamie and gave her a hug then continued on.
Zane joined Jamie and Cian once Alicia exited the building. “I need to ask you some questions, Jamie.” He crouched in front of Cian, bringing him eye level with his tiny mate. “Don't tell me what you think you saw or who you think the person was, I just need facts. Okay?”
Jamie nodded. “Sure.”
“Alicia stated he had a name tag on. Do you remember his name?” Zane prodded.
“It was crooked. Like he’d put it on in haste.” Jamie's face scrunched up, and her brow furrowed in concentration. “It surprised me, because it’s such a curious name. The tag said; John Hawthorne.”
“Hawthorne, are you sure?” Cian gathered her into his arms.
Jamie nodded. “Yes. I found it weird because the uniform didn't fit him right. Like it was too small. When I asked him, he said his wife put it in the wash on accident. But his name tag sat askew on his shirt.”
“Do you remember what he looked like?” If they got a description of the man, he'd be able to put an APB out on him.
“Nerdy,” she replied. “Didn't fit the job. He was kind of balding. Hawk-nose but friendly brown eyes. He seemed almost shy, but not... if that makes sense.”
“Makes perfect sense.” Only problem is, the only John Hawthorne they knew of, was dead and gone. As one of the judges during the Salem Witch Trials, he'd executed women without compunction. All of those poor, hapless souls weren't even witches. John Hawthorne’s grave resided in the local cemetery where some of the local witches had placed rocks over his plot, forcing him to feel the weight of his dastardly deeds for all eternity.
“I'll have Ava grab your stuff from the apartment. From now on, you’re staying with Zane and I,” Cian whispered, placing a kiss her temple.
“Why is this happening to me?” she asked. The heartbreaking sob following her question, tore at Zane's soul.
“I don’t know.” He took her hand. It was ice cold and trembled in his grip. “Anything else?”
He listened as Jamie walked him through her morning routine. She explained her trip to the bakery and meeting Ava there, then starting work. She recalled every moment up, including how it felt to touch the box of roses, until he arrived on scene. With the exception of the delivery guy’s name, there wasn’t much to go on. “My wrist still hurts, too.” She showed him the small black dot just below her birthmark.
“When did it appear?”
“As soon as I touched it,” she murmured. “When you told me magic has a feeling, I doubted you.”
“And now?” Zane pressed.
“I believe you,” she answered.
Zane glanced over his shoulder at his sister who paced nervously while nibbling on her thumbnail. She’d be living with the guilt of having Jamie open the box for a long time. His sister meant well, but sometimes, her exuberance got the better of her. Today, was one of those days. “Go home, Ava. There’s nothing more you can do here.”
“Right. Zane, I—”
“I know,” he answered. “Better yet, I have a job for you.”
Ava perked up. “Anything. Name it.”
“Go to Jamie’s apartment and grab her things. She’ll be staying with us from now on.”
“Got it,” Ava said. “I’ll meet you at your house in an hour.”
Cian hustled Jamie out to Zane’s patrol truck and helped her with her seatbelt while he slid into the driver’s seat. Once they were all situated, she laid her head against Cian's shoulder, while she placed a hand on Zane's thigh. Sex should’ve been the last thing on his mind, but having her hand on his leg, made him rock hard and ready to go.
The drive home had been silent as he concentrated on the road and Jamie slept in Cian’s arms. The wolf who prowled in his mind, stared at the woman beside him and demanded they make it official. Whoever attacked her in broad daylight was getting cocky. He’d try again and again until he finally got her. Zane couldn’t let that happen. Not on his watch and not with his mates.
He pulled into the driveaway and killed the engine. Cian made quick work of her seat belt, then gathered her in his arms. She gave a soft sigh and wrapped her arms around his neck. Even in her sleep, she reached out to them. Once he extracted himself from the vehicle with Jamie in his arms, he headed for the house.
Zane cocked a brow at Cian, and his mate shook his head. He mouthed the words ‘not now,’ as he started for the stairs. When Jamie was settled in their bed, they left her to sleep and headed down the hall to his office. “Want to tell me why she's tired besides the obvious fright?”
“She touched the box,” Cian said as he slumped into his chair. “She said it burned like hell fire and ice. Ava should have noticed it, but we’ll chalk it up to her not being able to, to the pheromones. But, the damn thing is enchanted or cursed. I can’t figure out which one.”
; “What the fuck?” Zane snapped. “There aren't many who can pull off the caliber of black magic needed to create a spell like that.”
“Nope. The last I heard there were only three,” Cian agreed. “How the hell did they bring Hawthorne back?”
“Black magic wielded by the right person, can do anything. But, it is doubtful the guy was John Hawthorne. I believe it was a play on names.”
“So, this is the second coming of the Witch Trials?”
“Might be, or the fucker behind all of this is playing a game.” Cian shrugged.
“We can’t be too sure on anything right now,” Zane said. “But I have a feeling before this is all over, we'll find out.”
“In the meantime,” Cian stated, “we need to find someone to train Jamie and heal her.”
“I'll have Matilda take a look at her. I'll also ask her to work with Jamie on her witchcraft. Now is the time she needs to learn to protect herself.” He should have said something to the woman before then. Should have done it when Jamie didn’t remember any of them, let alone her parents.
“I agree. We can only be with her so much before she has to be alone,” Cian replied.
Zane's stomach knotted. Next time, he and Cian might not be there. His mate didn't have to say it. He knew it. “Let's table this for now. I think it's time to show our little mate just how connected we already are.”
Cian grunted in agreement. “You’re right. The little witch scared the shit out of me today. It’s time to claim her properly and introduce her to the pack as their Alpha female.”
Jamie rolled over in the large bed and gathered the pillow beside her into her arms. It smelled like Zane while the one she laid her head on, smelled like Cian. She’d been cocooned there, in their plush, comfortable bed, a far cry from her standard one. She sank into the soft sheets and warm blankets missing the luxury of having proper coverings. She could sleep for days and still not want to leave. However, as she laid there, a niggle of worry crept in.
Something or someone was out to get her. She’d asked herself why, while waiting for Zane to show up, and she could never answer the question. She was nothing special. She pulled her arm out from under the blankets and frowned. A black mark now marred the beauty of the moon and star birthmark. Her heart sank as sadness swamped her. Maybe when they finished the mating, it would return to its formal splendor.
She hoped at least.
“Babe?” Cian's husky voice caught her attention. She glanced in his direction, and her breath hitched. He’d removed his shirt, allowing her to appreciate his muscular chest and stomach along with the small strip of hair running down beneath the waist of his jeans. The teasing asshole also had the top button of his jeans undone. “You feel better now? Get enough rest?”
Jamie smiled up at Cian while continuing to admire his large expansive chest. Cian was a bit shorter then Zane, and his body was more athletic, while Zane was just huge and all muscle. Both men made her feel extremely safe and secure. Even with all the bullshit that was swirling around them at this moment.
Cian prowled toward her. His steps were sure and graceful. He didn’t expend any excess energy. “You gave us quite a fright.” He sat down on the edge of the bed. “How are you feeling?”
“Better, I think. Still a little... You know.” She shrugged as she sat up.
“I do.” He pressed his lips to hers in a searing kiss. It was filled with demand and promise. It was hot and cold and everything in between. She moaned, pressing her body to his as a tingle of arousal sparked within her before becoming a full on blaze.
Jamie fumbled with the tab of his jeans while Cian tugged her shirt off. The coolness of the room had goosebumps forming across her skin. “I'd hoped that maybe you'd be willing to join me.” Jamie slipped her hand past the band of his boxer-briefs and gripped his shaft, giving it a squeezed.
Cian moaned and flexed into her hold. “You know it. I could have lost you today. Not repeating that any time soon.”
“We have other plans,” Zane barked. “If you can hold your damn horses, both of you.”
Cian glanced over his shoulder at Zane. “I think our little mate is tempting me.”
“Looks like it’s mutual.” Zane joined them as he shed his shirt.
“I don’t ever think I’ve seen you jealous,” Jamie teased, taking the time to appreciate both the Alpha and beta’s bodies. Damn, I am one lucky girl.
“I think our little witch wants to be fucked.” Zane's dark voice sent a thrill down her spine.
“I do, too.” Cian shoved the blankets off of her. “I also the love the sight of her in our bed with her sweet little pussy creaming for us.” He wrapped his hand around Zane's long length, and a strange sensation filled Jamie. It fluctuated between lust and jealousy along with arousal. It made her achy and twitchy.
“Here is the deal,” Zane stepped out of his pants, “You're going to watch—”
“Watch?” Jamie snapped. “Wait a minute, why do I have to watch?”
“Now who’s being bossy?” He groaned as Cian dropped to his knees and took the head of Zane’s dick into his mouth.
Jamie pouted. “But I don't want to watch. I want to be involved!” A wave of jealousy washed over her. Earlier, she’d wondered if it could ever work out between them, and yet, laying in their bed while Cian sucked Zane’s dick, she’d be foolish to ever question it again. She reached between her thighs and rubbed her clit through her pants.
“For being a brat, you can only touch yourself. Not us.” Zane sucked air and shuddered as Cian tugged on his balls. “Until I say so.”
Cian released Zane's dick with a loud pop. “Alpha has spoken.” He grinned at Jamie. “Go ahead, babe. Get naked for us. Show us your pretty pussy.”
She did as he asked. Her hand shook with a mix of adrenaline and anticipation. The minute she touched herself, her back came off the bed, and a sharp cry fell from her lips. She was so turned on, it hurt. Jamie held up her fingers, surprised by the amount of wetness there.
“Fuck, that’s sexy as hell.” Zane bent forward and licked her fingers, which shoved his dick down Cian’s throat.
Jamie moaned. Seeing both men together added to the pleasure running through her. The tug of her fingers had been a direct line to her clit, causing it to pulse and throb. Zane’s lip curled as he fisted Cian’s hair, holding him still. He fucked the man’s mouth with strong thrusts.
“Play with your nipples. Get them nice and hard for us.” Zane moaned as his speed increased. “Then get our pussy nice and wet.”
Jamie cupped her aching breast, her thumb and forefinger tugged and rolling on the tight bud. She lowered the hand Zane had licked clean between her thighs and settled it over her sex. Her clit pulse and throbbed as she circled the hard bundle of nerves.
“Watch Cian suck my dick.” Zane’s gaze zeroed in on her fingers as they touched and teased her slit.
She arched into her touch as the muscles in her stomach tensed and relaxed. It was so good, but not enough. Watching them, seeing Cian’s saliva coat Zane’s dick only served to heighten her need. She wanted them. Craved both men with such ferocity she didn’t understand it. Didn’t understand why it hurt so much to touch herself, yet when they did it, she’d climax so hard, it stole her ability to think, let alone speak.
“Oh!” Jamie cried while her fingers dipped inside her slick passage. Her pussy clenched around her fingers, but it wasn’t enough. She needed more. Needed one of her men to fill her with their dick and fuck her through release. The carnal thought slingshot through her mind. The realization of it, surprised her.
“Cian’s devious tongue licks my balls so good. Kind of how he rubs your clit until you come on it.” Zane's deep voice vibrated through her. “He's amazing at sucking my dick. You'll learn from him. He'll teach you exactly how deep I like it, how to stroke and squeeze me and swallow down every single drop of my cum.”
Jamie wasn't sure what was turning her on more, watching Cian suck Zane's balls into his mouth whil
e he continued to stroke the Alpha’s dick or Zane's blunt, erotic words. She cried out as she rippled around her fingers. Her breath came in soft pants. Her whole body trembled with expectancy.
“The smell of her pussy is driving me crazy. It’s so fucking good,” Cian groaned when he released Zane's sac.
“Be a good little witch, Jamie, and offer Cian up a taste of your pussy,” Zane stated.
Jamie pulled her fingers off her clit and held her hand out to Cian, who leaned forward and sucked the slick cream from her fingers. The vibration from his hum of appreciation caused her entire body to jerk.
“That's a start. But I meant offer your pussy to him.” Zane helped Cian off the floor. “Spread your legs wide and use your fingers to open that pretty little pussy up for him.”
Jamie’s eyes fluttered shut. Zane’s words were lude and a bit crude, but it didn’t do anything to diminish her arousal, in fact, it turned her on more. Pre-cum covered the crest of Cian’s cock, and her mouth watered. She wanted to taste him.
“No touching,” Zane snarled as Jamie reach for Cian. He grabbed her by the ankle and pulled her into position for Cian. “Eat her pussy, Cian, while I prepare you.” Zane stepped over to the bedside table and opened the drawer. He grabbed the tube out of it then drizzled some of the clear liquid over his dick. As he took his position behind Cian, he worked the lube over his length then squeezed some onto Cian’s rear.
“Eyes here, babe,” Cian murmured before burying his face between her legs. With his first lick, her hips came off the bed and a keen cry fell from her lips.
He made a sound that was sexy as hell and vibrated through her while he rocked back toward Zane. As much as he wanted her to pay attention to him, her gaze kept drifting to Zane and the way he used his fingers to open his mate.
Cian shifted, pulling her legs up and over his shoulders, opening her more to his perusal. He nudged her sex with his nose and inhaled. The delighted noise coming from him as he buried his face in her sex sent a pulse of bliss through her. These men were devious, it was as if they planned everything, right down to Cian swirling his tongue around her clit before drawing it into his mouth.
