by JL Madore
“Shhh, lay still,” she says, urging me back to the mattress. “Calli’s tears are amazing, but severe damage still takes time to heal.”
I sink back into the silky comfort of Creed’s sheets and let out a sigh. “Consider me convinced. I’d still like it if you bring me up to date. Are Creed and Dillan all right? Did you figure out that the witch was there? I think I tried to tell you but I was pretty out of it. How did you even find me?”
Keyla goes on to tell me about how Creed’s desperation to find me after Vik gave him the invitation, seems to have triggered their mating beacon and then, even though she was in the Human Realm, she felt the pull to get to me. “Calli and the quint joined in and we brought Hawk’s helicopter through the gate to Travon. Then we met up with Creed and his team for the battle at the lair.”
I listen in amazement as she details my rescue and then how they tracked down the Blood Witch and how both the witch and Shadowcaster have been removed from the board.
“So, my mother is Queen of the Dragon Clans?”
“Yes. Her induction is today. I’m sorry to say you won’t be in any shape to get there.”
I shrug and groan as the pain of moving hits. “It doesn’t bother me to miss the ceremony. I belong here with Creed and you and Dillian. Even the Phoenix Quint have proven themselves more like family than my dragon brethren. After what they did to me, you guys are my only family now.”
She snuggles closer, linking her arm with mine, and settles so we’re nose-to-nose. “I’m glad you think so. I know it’s strange at first, realizing that the family you’re born to and the people who should love you most and have your back aren’t always your forever family. I learned that when Kotah first mated with Calli. I think it’s why I was so gung-ho to have you and Doc join me and Creed in our mating. I knew we could be the family we all needed.”
“Creed told me your instincts are keen. You were ahead of us on that.” My eyes are burning to close, but I don’t want to lose this moment. “I’m sorry I fought it so hard. I almost died and missed out on the whole thing.”
“What matters is that you didn’t die.” She leans forward and rubs noses with me. It’s a playful act and my wildling side appreciates her wolf’s presence. “All’s well that ends well.”
My eyes drift shut and I fight to open them again.
She squeezes our joined hand and smiles. “Rest, Dragon. Your body needs time to recover.”
My dragon growls and I force my eyes open for a moment longer. “Will you stay, Little Wolf? I feel a little floaty and I’m not ready to lose this connection. Neither is my dragon.”
The joy dancing in those rich, brown eyes is the best medicine a guy could ask for. Lifting her chin, she brushes her lips against mine in a gentle show of affection. “Of course, sweetie. Close your eyes. I won’t leave your side.”
I hear the truth in her words and I wonder why it took me so long to understand what it means.
We are mates.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Keyla
I spend the next few hours, lying next to Rhylan, easing his dragon while the man heals. Wildlings, like animals in the wild, respond badly to feeling vulnerable with others around, especially other males.
Since dragons are arguably the most dominant of the wildling species, it’s my sole aim to ensure Rhylan’s dragon never feels threatened.
The last thing we need is for him to lose control, shift, and crash through the bedroom wall. He needs to lay still while his wheals knit back together.
The bleeding and oozing has stopped and the swelling is going down by the hour but there are several puncture holes where daggers were thrust into him and left there that are slow to heal.
I think they will scar despite Calli’s phoenix tears.
“That bad, is it?”
I lift my gaze from the diminishing damage and meet his sleepy gaze. “Not bad, no. I was just thinking you won’t get through this without at least a few scars.”
He sighs, pain darkening his gaze. “I’ll take the scars inflicted as part of my journey to get me here. The ones on the outside, at least. I’m not sure what to do with the scars on my insides.”
I brush his stubbled cheek and cup his jaw. “I’m sorry you’re hurting. If it helps, I understand what it’s like to be judged and disappointed by a family who is supposed to love you.”
He smiles, but I sense it is forced. “It helps.”
Refusing to lose the physical contact of touching him, I brush my fingers along his temple and shift his hair out of his eyes so I can see him properly.
“I know you said before you think we should hold ourselves at a distance, but I’d like to revisit that. You were trying to spare me the trouble you thought you would bring—and I appreciate that—but you bring much more than trouble into my life.”
A soft smile plays at the corner of his mouth and it nurtures hope within me. “I don’t know that I’m a strong enough male to resist you for any longer than I have. And yes, I said that for your sake… but if we’re being honest there’s also part of me afraid to invest in something that will truly damage me if torn away.”
Aww, sweet male.
I slide my hand under the matted mass of his tangled blond hair and lean closer. Pressing my lips softly to his, I give him a moment to breathe in my sincerity and devotion to loving him. “I look forward to you being well enough to get up and about. There are things I’d like to do with you—well, to you, mostly—and I’d prefer for you not to wince through it.”
A rush of arousal hits my nostrils and my wolf prowls forward, growling as she rises to the surface.
Rhylan’s pupils flare. “Even after everything?”
“Of course. You are mine, Rhylan Silverwing. Mine to care for, to worry over, to support, and to love. Creed chose you and loved you first, but I look forward to showing you he’s not the only one for you.”
“If you’re serious about that…”
My wolf stretches inside me and lifts her head. “I am. What’s on your mind?”
“Phoenix tears are great… but I’ll heal better if I feed. If that’s too much too soon, I understand but—”
I roll off the bed, my heart racing. Feed him?
When his brows come down, I smile and pull my top over my head. After that’s gone, I shove my pants down and shed my panties and socks. I practically launch back onto the mattress.
So much for playing hard to get.
Lifting the covers, I snuggle in next to him, lift my head, and gather my hair out of his way. “Ready when you are.”
Warm breath tickles my throat as he rises and props up on his elbow. “That eager, are you?”
I picture him pinning Creed up against the wall and a rush of moisture slicks my core. “You’ve taken Creed’s and Dillan’s vein. I want that too. Take what I offer freely, to heal you and complete our bond.”
He studies my expression and I know he’s looking for any sign that I’m not sure—but I am sure.
When he finds no hesitation he meets my gaze. “The initial strike will sting, but my saliva will quickly replace the pain with an almost drugged pleasure.”
“I saw and felt that when you drank from Creed. Don’t worry about me. I’ve thought a lot about this.” Actually, thinking about it now has me scissoring my legs, aching to get started.
Rhy breathes deeply and his half-masted eyes flash gold. His wild side is pressing forward, his dragon eager to claim what is his. “And the sexual component? Have you considered that as well?”
Between the scent of his arousal and the energy of his dragon vibrating across our mental connection, he has me keyed up and randy. The throbbing between my legs is getting hard to ignore.
“Yes. I offer you all of me, to use and consume as you need. I am yours as you are mine.”
He shakes his head and sighs. “You’re far too trusting, Little Wolf.”
I tilt my head away, giving him full access to my neck. “Take from me or don’t, but don’t tell m
e what I want or what I can handle.”
The deep-throated chuckle brings his chest to mine and he slides over me. “Creed warned me you aren’t like females of this realm. All right. If you’re sure, I will happily take your vein and bury myself in your lush heat.”
I open my thighs and make room for him to shift over me fully. He’s heavier than Creed but not as heavy as Doc, and when the cradle of his hips rest at the crux of my body I think of Goldilocks and smile.
Not too heavy. Not too light.
He’s juuuust right.
He settles into place, the head of his cock nudging my entrance. Sexual energy zings through me, calling my release, and tightening in my womb.
Damn. I might come before we even get started.
Rhylan nuzzles against the pulse of blood pounding in my veins and my wolf lets off a howl. The anticipation is killing me. I’m practically panting for him.
“Do it.” I swallow but my mouth remains dry. “Drink from me. Fuck me. Claim me as your own.”
His dragon growls and then he drops his head.
He draws his tongue up the column of my throat and I swallow against his tongue.
Can people die from anticipation?
If so, I’m in real danger of dropping dead.
The strike is fast and brutal. I cry out, stiffening as his canines pierce my flesh and puncture my jugular.
My wolf instincts flare as he latches onto my throat. My mind wars over my body as I lock my reflexes, fighting not to push him away.
And then, everything changes.
In the next beat of my racing heart, the momentary panic and pain subsides, replaced by a wave of pleasure. I groan. My body relaxes. I release the breath locked in my lungs. “Oh, yes.”
Rhylan adjusts his lips against my throat and suckles and pulls. The process makes my nipples and my inner muscles ache with need. “I need you inside me. Please.”
Rhylan adjusts his upper body, pressing forward to circle his hips and slick his cock. The sweeping of his engorged tip through the moisture he’s called from me is magical and I have to focus on breathing to fend off a round of dizziness.
The penetration is invasive and it takes a moment for him to sink fully into my depths.
Yes, I’m new to sex and tight—Doc and Creed have both mentioned that—but Rhylan is also a sizable male.
I’m careful where I set my hands on his shoulders, very aware the skin on his back and ass and thighs is a roadmap of abuse and violence.
His dragon’s energy is strong and my wolf appreciates his dominance. He has wanted to assert his claim on me for days and now, at last, the beast revels in the triumph of a true mating.
Rhylan growls as he starts a slow push and retreat. His presence inside me stretches my limits in the most delicious ways. He’s almost too much, but at the same time, not enough—never enough.
I groan and rock my hips. “Don’t be polite. I need your hunger. I want you uncensored. Don’t hurt yourself, but don’t hold back on my account.”
Locked inside me as deeply as he can go, his body shudders, and then his hips start to pump in earnest.
Creed
Dillan and I take in the erotic show and I can’t help but think Keyla is giving Rhylan the kind of healing he truly needs. Sure, the phoenix tears and blood will help, but Rhylan’s deepest wounds come from what was done to him by his family and friends.
Keyla’s unconditional acceptance and soothing ways will ease those wounds—I know from experience.
Rhylan’s hips rock in a slow and steady rhythm of in and out and Keyla arches against the mattress beneath him. His head is bent, his mouth sealed against the silky column of her neck.
I remember the sensation well from his claiming of me. My body surges behind the fabric of my pants and I reach down to adjust things.
Fuck that’s hot, Dillan says into my mind.
I couldn’t agree more. I say we take our time in joining them. After Rhy’s fed and is feeling stronger, we’ll welcome him into our foursome properly.
I like the way you think, mate. Dillan pulls his shirt off over his head and starts unbuckling his belt.
As he strikes off toward the washroom, I unbutton my shirt, discard my pants, and take a seat in the reading chair in view of the bed.
Not wanting to disturb the feeding, I grip my length and tug at it. I’m an independent male. I can service myself until there’s a break in the action.
Closing my eyes, I tap into the mental energy of the room, and my cock jumps in my grip. Yeah. Living with these three will feed my need for powerful mental connections for years to come.
And feed my soul too.
Keyla cries out, her body arching against Rhylan’s steady thrust and retreat. As her first orgasm hits, her heels dig into the mattress and she shatters beneath him.
Fuck. I nearly come just watching them.
Rhy finishes with his feeding but he isn’t finished fucking her. He lifts onto his palms and rides out her orgasm with style. When the intensity of her release settles, Rhy glances over his shoulder. “Are you two going to amuse yourselves with a rub and tug in the shadows all night or are you planning on joining us?”
I get my naked ass in gear and take him up on the invitation. “We were being gentlemen, giving you two a moment to yourselves.”
“There are more orifices to fill,” Rhy says. “I’m quite happy where I am, but I think Doc should give Keyla something to suck on and Creed, you know where I want you.”
I chuckle and grab the bottle of lubrication and a string of cock sheaths from the bedside drawer. “Feeling better, I take it.”
Rhylan is a machine.
I’ve never seen him with a female but I know how he is with me. He’s dominant and insatiable. He bent to my will in the past, but I think now that we’re mated and our relationship is somewhat out in the open, my days of calling all the shots are coming to an end.
Doc climbs onto the bed and brushes a finger over the side of Keyla’s neck. “Hey, babe. How you doing?”
“Good,” she says, her voice strained. “I think you were told to give me something to suck on.”
The bear lets off a rolling laugh and crawls across the top of the bed to settle over her on his hands and knees. “Yes, my queen.”
I laugh too.
This new life of ours is something else.
Growing up, my father stressed the importance of humility. A king shouldn’t laud himself over others or he would alienate his people.
Here, like this with them, I totally get off on the rush of being in control. Squeezing a glob of liquid into my palm, I crawl in behind Rhy’s toned and beautiful ass. “And I was told to take up the rear.”
The growl of Rhylan’s dragon triggers a burst of tingling in my sac. Fuck. How lost in denial was I to not realize he affects me as deeply as he does?
I take in the damage to Rhylan’s body and if Shadowcaster wasn’t already dead, I’d kill him again.
Don’t let them take anything more from us, Keyla says, meeting my gaze. Stay in the present. The wounds will heal.
I nod and get my mind back on track.
Even red and welted, Rhylan is a beautifully built male. Focusing on pleasuring him, I slick things up and play, stretching him and getting him ready for what’s to come. I’ve taken him rough and angry so many times.
Not this time.
Maybe never again.
Squaring my hips behind him, I slip on a sheath and press the tip of my cock against the restriction of his ass. It’s crazy, but doing this with Keyla and Dillan here is a touch unnerving. Rhylan and I have always been dark and dirty. Now we’re in love.
It’s a strange new reality.
“Slecking hell, Creed, hurry up,” Rhy snaps. “I’m dying here.”
“Hush and be patient. You’ve had enough rough for a day or two. Let me give you a little loving care.” I take another squirt of lubrication and give my cock a couple of priming strokes. Without fanfare, I press my swollen
tip where I want to be and push past the resistance blocking me from my pleasure.
Our pleasure.
Rhylan lets off a groan as I push deeper. Having been on the receiving end of this before, I know how it burns at first. No mercy though.
Rhylan loves the burn.
After a couple of strong strokes, I’m slicked up and set a pace. The skin on Rhy’s hips is almost fully healed, so I grip the bones of his physique and use the leverage to pump.
He bucks beneath me and Keyla shudders beneath him. She’s got her mouth full, sucking Dillan off. When I put real force into my thrusts, her knees open wider.
I chuckle as she lifts her legs in the air, spreading wider for us. Gripping her calves, I pull her to leverage my thrusts. Rhylan rams into her as I ram into him and she’s pinned in place.
The forward thrust has my balls slapping against his and it’s so good. “How rough do you guys want this?” I ask, my heart pounding in my chest.
Keyla’s wolf growls and she opens up the connection in our minds, sending me images of me fucking them senseless. I’m not surprised. She likes to start wild and end with loving and sensitive.
That’s fine with me.
Rhy’s dragon surges forward and he’s all wildling and carnal pleasure.
“Punishing and pounding, it is.” I set caution to the side and build momentum until I’m pounding home and my lungs burn with the exertion.
The thundering slap, slap, slap of flesh echos in the air, and each time I slam home, Keyla lets off a feminine grunt of pleasure. The bear growls and my release burns hot in my balls.
Yeah, Bear, your turn is coming.
I say we do this all night long, Keyla gasps.
We’re going to be sore tomorrow, I say.
Worth it, Rhy says, pushing back against my hips.
Fuck I love the wild side Rhylan calls forward.
I love getting rough with him. I’d never been with a guy before him, but when locked behind closed doors you gotta improvise and go with what you’ve got.
Who knew it would turn out like this?
Rhy groans and, connected as we are, I feel how hard he’s fighting his release. He’s trying to lock down he’s losing the fight.
