by Milly Taiden
He smiled as her fingers lightly danced along his chest. She plastered her lips against his. Her kiss was urgent. She thought she would burn alive if her lips were not on his. Her body yearned for his. He responded to her kiss with his tongue rushing into her mouth, taking control. Their hunger for each other increased. Every time he nipped her lip, her pussy got wetter. Their tongues twisted together, exploring each other. He pulled back slightly and ran his fingers through her hair.
“Your animal is attracted to mine.” He paused. “Actually, you’re my mate. Do you know what that means?”
Mine, her panther said in response.
“Oh my God! You mean like they have the hots for each other? I’m all for sex, but I draw the line if it’s like an animal.” She put her hands up and shook her head. She jerked back when Xeon laughed.
“Oh, there will be sex, a lot of sex. Not as animals, as us. When I say mate, it goes far beyond sex. It means that we’re destined to be together… forever.”
Her hand ran along his chest, her heartbeat quickened, her nipples ached, and her arousal surprised her. Just his words caused her body to tingle all the way to her toes while listening to him
“How do you feel when you’re around me?” he asked her.
“I feel like I want to jump your bones.” She hesitated. “I need you so badly. I hurt and ache. I don’t understand it. I’ve never been like this before.”
He’s our mate. I want him now. Don’t wait any longer, her panther whispered. Mara inhaled deeply, the scent of him enhancing her need.
“What is she saying?” Xeon asked with a smile.
“How did you know?” she asked, crossing her legs, trying to hide the scent of her arousal.
“The look on your face.” He replied with a slight laugh.
“She’s just agreeing with you. Apparently, I’m moving too slow for her.” Her lips curled into a smile.
He stood and pulled her off the couch. He led her to the bedroom until they stood next to the bed. His hands went to the hem of her shirt and pulled it off over her head.
A loud gasp left her. Xeon bent down and took her nipple into his mouth. Her head tilted back as he sucked and licked around her swollen peaks.
“More. Please, more,” she moaned. It had been a while since she’d been touched by a man.
“I got you, baby.” His mouth went to her other nipple and bit gently, tugging lightly.
He trailed his hands slowly down her sides to the waistband of her pants. He slowly slid them down her legs. He kissed his way up her thighs, smelling her arousal. When he reached the V of her legs, he gently nudged them apart. Slowly sliding his finger between her folds, he slicked it before easing his finger inside her.
His tongue found her clit when he leaned in to taste her. When he licked her nubbin, she went over the edge. Her orgasm shook her whole body. She’d been so close just from the first kiss. She cried her release and held his head closer into her.
He slowly pulled away, licking her juices from his lips. She trembled as he gently laid her on the bed. He bent over her and kissed her. She tasted herself on his lips. He stood, slipping his pajama pants down his legs. His eyes stayed on her as she watched his every move. Her eyes went to his cock. She licked her lips as she watched his length grow even harder.
She reached out and grabbed hold of his long, hard cock. “I need you.” She pulled him to her.
He climbed onto the bed and knelt between her spread legs. His mouth went to her pussy, licking between her lips as his finger spread them open. When his tongue ran across her clit, her hips rose to meet him.
“I need you now, Xeon.” She gasped. “I need you... fast and hard.”
She couldn’t believe she would ever be this wanting, needy, and aching. Never had she felt this way. Her body burned from need.
“Please...” she pleaded.
He slid the head of his cock along her pussy, spreading her juices. Her hips rose to meet his as he slid into her wet, aching channel. She held him tightly when he was balls deep.
“God, yes!” He pulled almost out and drove harder into her, making her moan.
His thrusts became faster and harder with each shove. Mara moved in unison with him. Her pussy sucked him in deeper.
“You’re so tight and wet. We just… fit. Mine.” He managed to get out between plunges.
“Xeon. Don’t stop. Oh God. I feel. I feel…now!” She screamed, exploding again. Her orgasm hit her so strongly, her legs tightened, and her nerve endings tingled.
He roared his release. It pulsed and flooded her pussy. When their climaxes ebbed, she felt something strange inside her. This was something beyond sex, beyond anything she’d ever felt before. Something different.
“What do you feel sweetheart?”
She looked intently into his eyes. “I’m not sure what it is. It’s strange. I...” she paused. “It’s like I can feel you here.” She touched her chest, over her heart. Confused by how she felt, she let her fingers trace his stubbled chin. She’d never in her life felt the need to be this close to anyone.
“That’s the beginning of our mating bond. We won’t be fully mated until I bite you when we orgasm together.”
Breathlessly she asked, “When will that be?”
“Soon, but I need to make sure you’re ready. It is still too new for you right now,” he replied.
He got out of bed. “Stay here, I’ll be right back.” He stopped her when she began to move over to the side of the bed.
Xeon went into the bathroom and cleaned himself up. When he returned to the bedroom, he carried a wet washcloth. He climbed onto the bed next to her.
“You don’t have to do that.” She protested.
Gently, he ran the cloth between her legs and wiped away any evidence of their joining. “I take care of what is mine, what I treasure, what I vow to protect and that is you.” He tossed the washcloth into the dirty clothes hamper, then pulled her close to his large body.
Tears formed in her eyes, no man had ever talked to her like that, taken care of her after sex.
“Sleep, baby, it’s been a long day.” He leaned over to kiss the top of her head.
She turned her back to his front and snuggled against him. Her mind wandered once again to the feeling of being almost complete. Xeon held her, but there was still an emptiness in the corner of her heart. “I want mine” rumbled in her head and it was then she recognized a difference in the voice. This one had a sing song tone, as if the voice floated softly through the air yet was strong enough to make people take notice. This must be the vampire inside her, but what did she mean, she wanted hers? Wasn’t Xeon enough for all of them?
“Night, Xeon,” she whispered as she closed her eyes. It only took a few moments for her breathing to slow, and sleep took over.
Chapter Eight
The next morning, Kyro arrived late to the meeting house. Every morning, a team of male members would search for their missing pack mates. There would be a meeting before they went, and another meeting after. The last one was to report any leads or dead-ends they came across. A few of the guys were still inside, looking over a map of the city.
“Hey guys.” Walking through the door, Kyro greeted them. “Did Xeon already leave?”
“He hasn’t shown up yet,” Ryder said, looking up from the map. “We figured you two had a late night last night. Team one already left to hunt the south district. We were going to head to the east unless you prefer us to go somewhere else.”
“I do actually. I want you to start at Garnett Medical Center and work your way out. The shifters were held there but were moved before we arrived. Take Hunter with you., his nose can sniff out anything.” Kyro nodded to Hunter, who was leaned back in his chair awaiting instructions.
“You got it.” Ryder rolled up the maps and placed them in the cylinder container. “Come on Hunter. Brody, that means you too.”
With a quick nod, Hunter and Brody filed out of the meeting house. Kyro glanced around the room as if
in disbelief Xeon hadn’t arrived yet. He was always the first one in and the last one out.
Damn it. The only thing that would make Xeon late would be a woman. That being Mara, his woman. Kyro knew from the moment she stepped into the SUV, she was meant for him. He knew it in his soul. Once Xeon realized Mara wasn’t his mate, he would be free to claim her as his own.
Instead of driving, Kyro walked to Xeon’s house. The SUV was still parked in the driveway, so he knew his alpha hadn’t gone anywhere. When he reached the front door, he knocked once and opened it. Usually, he just walked in unannounced. The smell of coffee confirmed that someone was up in the house.
“Hi Kyro.” Mara poked her head out of the kitchen.
“Hey, how are you feeling?” He stepped into the kitchen and stopped dead in his tracks. He smelled Xeon all over her. More importantly, he knew Xeon and Mara had bonded.
“I’m okay,” she said with a smile.
Kyro walked around her to get a cup of coffee. Taking a deep breath, he passed her. Son of a bitch. Could he have been wrong about his draw to her, his mate? No. His wolf felt it like he did. What the hell did he do now? Fight his best friend?
When the Alpha wanted something, you stood down and let him have it. But Mara was different. Son of a bitch, he suddenly realized he would have to share her with Xeon. But, hell, they’d shared before. They’d make it work if she accepted them both.
The way she stared at him at that moment only proved she wanted him too. Her eyes narrowed, looking down his face to his neck.
Mara focused on Kyro’s neck. His heartbeat was the only sound she heard. She watched as each pulse beat through his carotid artery. His heartbeat reached her, louder than Xeon’s. It echoed in her ears, keeping her focus on him. She licked her lips but pulled herself together when Xeon came up behind her.
“What’s wrong?” Xeon wrapped his arms around her.
“Nothing,” she replied. It was the truth… kind of. She didn’t know what was wrong. How did she put into words something she didn’t understand herself? Was this what the vampire meant, she wanted? She was scared something else in her DNA would wake up. She closed her eyes tightly and tried to calm her breathing.
“Ryder, Hunter, and Brody went to search near the hospital,” Kyro told Xeon.
“Good.” Xeon kissed her cheek and stepped around her to pour a cup of coffee. “Sorry I wasn’t at the meeting. Kind of had a long night.”
“Yeah, I can see that,” Kyro said, his voice sharp. His eyes narrowed in on Xeon.
“What’s going on?” Mara asked, confused at the tension in the air.
“Nothing,” Xeon told her and glared at Kyro as if daring him to say something.
Mara arched her brow but didn’t say anything. Something was going on that they weren’t telling her. The tension between Xeon and Kyro hung in the air. What happened since last night that would have best friends on edge with each other?
Xeon knew Kyro was pissed off at him. He sensed Kyro’s anger coming through their pack link. He knew Kyro wanted Mara, but Xeon also knew she was his mate. Shifters couldn’t fight it when they found their mate. It was a pull that drew them in like a magnet.
Xeon pulled Mara into his arms and pressed his lips against hers. She was his, and that’s all that mattered. He couldn’t let her go. His wolf would never be satisfied with anyone else. It had to be Mara. Her skin wasn’t as warm as it was last night. As he pulled away from their kiss, he rubbed his hands up and down her arms.
“Are you feeling okay? You feel a little cold,” Xeon asked Mara, looking into her eyes.
“I’m all right. Just tired, I think.” She leaned in and kissed him again.
“I hate leaving you,” he confessed. She didn’t seem normal to him.
“I’ll be fine. Go, do your alpha thing. Dinner will be done when you two get back.” She stepped out of his embrace. “I’ll see you later. Bye, Kyro. You two be careful.”
Her eyes lingered on Kyro a little longer than Xeon liked. Xeon headed out the door, Kyro behind him. They walked in silence to Xeon’s SUV, tension thick between them.
“What the hell, man?” Kyro asked when they got in.
“What? You can’t be mad that I bonded with my mate.”
“No, but I sure as fuck can be pissed about you bonding with my mate,” Kyro said through gritted teeth.
“I know you like her. Hell, what’s not to like? That does not mean she’s your mate.” Xeon shook his head and started the engine.
“I’m telling you. She was meant to be mine.”
Xeon knew Kyro believed his claim of Mara being his mate. No lies were coming from him. Yet how could Mara have two mates? It wasn’t impossible. He’d heard of trios happening, but he didn’t know of anyone with two mates. He eyed Kyro as he pulled out of the driveway. His best friend had never been mad at him like this. When they were younger, they vowed never to let a female come between them. In all their years, they stuck by that, until now.
“I don’t know what to say.” He sighed. “We can let her choose.”
“You have the advantage. You already bonded with her.”
“But if she’s to be mated to us both, then she would feel your connection pull too.”
“So, we just ask her if she feels it? Are you willing to share her if she does?” Kyro gave him a questionable look.
“Share? I don’t know about all that. Let’s just see what she says. Sharing may not even be an issue.” Xeon knew he didn’t want to share Mara, but he also knew he would give his mate anything she wanted in order to make her happy.
That was the best solution, sharing her. They’d shared women before, just not a mate. Mara was the only one who knew how she truly felt. If she felt the connection with Kyro too, then he would have no choice but to share her with him. No one came between mates, even if it was your own mate, mated to another. Could he really share Mara with another man?
“We’ll have to figure something out. I damn sure do not want to fight your big ass, even though I’m bigger.” Kyro laughed.
“You won’t win anyway, no matter how big your ass is.” This time Xeon laughed.
Xeon had taken down men bigger than Kyro. The alpha he fought had to be twice his size. It had been a fight to the death. Neither would submit to the other. That fight left him with a reminder, a scar across his chest. He never hid it, a trophy all on its own. The proof of his alpha fight. It signified his power.
“Then it’s agreed. No fighting, we’ll let Mara decide,” Kyro confirmed.
Xeon didn’t like it, but it was the only way to ensure Mara’s happiness. He sighed as he turned onto the parking lot of the meeting house. It was customary to consult with the pack elders when issues arose, which would possibly result in a violent attack. Being a sign of respect more than necessity. They went inside to wait for the elders to show up.
Twenty minutes later, the meeting was in full swing. Xeon had explained Mara calling him with information and then disappearing. He confirmed that she had indeed escaped and was able to show them where to find the keys to the cages. Five elders were spread out around the table. Xeon took his normal spot at the head, so he could address everyone. Two of their pack mates were missing. Other shifters were still going missing. They needed to act now.
“Mara spoke to Trina. She saw Benny too.”
“They’re alive?” Harry asked from the end of the table.
“Yes.” Before he said any more, another member spoke up.
“Where are they? Why haven’t you gone to get them?” Kale asked from his left.
“That’s the problem. Unfortunately, they’d been moved before we arrived. I know they were there. Trina’s scent was fresh. I couldn’t track her, though. Ryder, Hunter, and Brody are out to see if they can trace them.”
“Good, what else do you have?” Claude asked.
Xeon told them about the doctor and the experiments that Mara had endured. How her DNA was changing, and that the others were going through the same thi
ng.
“What are you saying Xeon?” Harry placed his hands on the table. “What has happened to my grandson? Are you saying he’s no longer a wolf?”
“All I know is that he can now shift into a hyena. We believe he can still shift to a wolf. I have no idea,” Xeon admitted. “We’ll have to get them back to find out.”
“Then get them back, damn it.” Harry slammed his fist against the table.
“I will,” he assured them. Somehow, he would get his pack back. “It may mean going against the Sheriff. He’s more worried about his laws than he’s finding them.”
“But you just said the experiments are changing their DNA. You no longer need the Sheriff,” Kale interjected. “Call the alphas of the other packs. Lionel is head of the lion pack. He’ll provide support.”
“I’m sure Raul will help. He’s the biggest Kodiak bear around, next to Vlan, that is. I bet he’ll help,” Claude added.
“Get the others in on it too. The council will have no trouble sanctioning a rescue,” Harry said.
“It will take some time to get them all together. Hopefully, we can get in touch with them all today.” Xeon clapped his hands together. “Thank you everyone, for coming out here. I appreciate the insight.”
“Go get our people back.” Kale patted his shoulder.
“We will, sir,” Xeon assured him.
Kyro closed the door once everyone had left. Xeon knew everyone counted on him to bring all the missing home. The responsibility of finding the shifters weighed heavily on his mind.
“Let’s go to the hospital,” Xeon stood and headed for the door.
“Ryder, Hunter, and Brody are out there now,” Kyro told him.
“Good, then we’ll meet up with them there.”
They left the meeting house, closing the door behind them. On their way to the hospital, Xeon thought about how fast Dr. Phenix removed all the missing shifters out of the basement. They were there when Mara escaped. How could they get six or more people out of the hospital without anyone seeing them?
“I was thinking,” Xeon started.
