Their Missing Lynx (Big Cat Mates)

by Cynthia Sax

  His chest heaved. His muscles burned. Rue’s voice grew louder, the sound reassuring him. She was alive. She’d remain alive.

  Ben inhaled deeply, smelling wolf. Those mutts. He barked. Lorcan yowled, confirming he heard the warning. The wolves had Rue. Ben’s claws dug into the ground as he pushed his body to its capacity, desperate to save their mate.

  A scream split the silence, the sound raising the hair on the scruff of his neck. They broke into a clearing. Three wolves circled a lone pine tree, snapping at pale dangling feet.

  Lorcan screeched with outrage. Ben’s reckless male mate rushed forward, his form blurring, heedless of the poor odds. He leaped into the air and landed on the smallest wolf’s back, his claws digging into fur, his jaws closing on exposed neck.

  The wolf howled, spinning and bucking, trying to displace Lorcan. Pinecones pelted the other wolves, their little human mate distracting them.

  Ben hurtled toward the wolves. They turned, facing him, growling a warning, their canine teeth dripping with saliva. Ben wrinkled his nose in disgust and swatted the smaller of the two wolves, batting him to the side. The wolf slammed against the tree trunk and fell to the ground, whimpering, his limbs twitching and useless.

  Mine! Ben roared at the large black wolf, infuriated that they dared to approach Rue, his fragile human mate. The wolf backed up, his eyes blazing.

  Behind Ben, a wolf yipped. There was a thud, and Lorcan howled with triumph. The black wolf snarled, and Ben widened his stance. His lynx shifter mate bumped against his right foreleg, his scent mixing with the aroma of freshly-spilled blood. A pinecone smashed against the wolf’s skull, their little female also making her presence felt.

  The wolf shifted his gaze from Ben to Lorcan and back to Ben. Ben relaxed. He’d thump the wolf on the head, scramble his brains a bit, and allow him to live. The wolf turned his head toward the smaller lynx shifter, and Ben tensed once more. No one targeted his mates.

  The wolf surged toward them. Lorcan flung his body into the air, his graceful movements a thing of beauty. Ben lumbered forward, reached out with his right paw, and raked his claws over the wolf’s snout. Lorcan clung to the beast’s back, tearing fur with his teeth and claws, the cat angrier than Ben had ever seen him.

  The wolf turned his head, opening his jaws, his teeth glistening. Before he could bite Lorcan, Ben reared, rising on his hind legs and smashed the wolf’s head between his front paws.

  The wolf staggered backward, and Ben bellowed, shaking his head, his animal fully released and furious. Lorcan screeched, the sound partially deafening Ben, and the lynx shifter ripped the wolf’s throat out. Blood spurted in the air, covering fur and grass.

  The wolf gurgled and fell to the ground. Ben smacked their enemy’s head, flattening his skull and squishing his brains. Lorcan tore at the wolf’s fur and flesh.

  The sole living wolf’s whimpering grated on Ben’s nerves. Leaving Lorcan to vent his anger on the dead wolf, he meandered over to the wounded creature.

  Ben gazed into big eyes glazed with pain, the wolf’s body wrapped around the tree, his spine snapped. He also posed a threat to Rue. If he was allowed to return to his pack, he could send the rest of the wolves after them.

  Ben wasn’t taking any more chances with his human mate’s life. He slammed both of his paws down on the wolf’s skull. Bone crunched and the pitiful whimpering stopped.

  Ben shook his head and bellowed. He was an animal. There was no denying it. He returned to the base of the tree. Could their human mate accept their animals, the savage parts of them? He tilted his head back and gazed upward.

  Rue perched naked on the tree limb, her back pressed against the trunk. She was pale and shaking, her eyes wide, her feet covered with scratches and grime. “I… I… Is it safe, Ben?” She sounded small and lost and Ben’s heart twisted.

  He growled. Should he shift? Or would that transformation shock their little human even more?

  Rue swung her dirty feet over the tree limb. “Don’t move, okay?” She wiggled her toes into his fur, the connection dissipating the rest of his rage, invoking his arousal. “I don’t want to fall.”

  He’d never allow her to fall. Ben straightened his legs and rounded his spine. Rue landed with a thud on his back, her weight negligible. Her legs straddled him, her wet pussy pressing into his fur, branding him with her scent. He rumbled with pleasure.

  “Thank you… for everything.” She folded her body on top of him and wrapped her slender arms around his big bear neck, accepting him, accepting his animal. Ben’s chest warmed. “The wolves planned to kill me. You saved my life, Ben, you and Lorcan.”

  Lorcan padded over to them, his cat eyes wild, traces of blood on his chin. He mewled, twitching his head toward the dead wolves, his concern clear. It was no place for their human mate.

  Ben lumbered toward their home, striving for an even, easy gait, vividly aware of the fragile female positioned on his back, trusting him to keep her safe. He would. He’d protect her with his life.

  “You’re so soft, Ben.” She snuggled into his fur, her breasts rubbing between his shoulder blades as he walked, making every step erotic torture. Lorcan circled them, sensuously twisting around them, brushing his body against the soles of Rue’s feet and flicking his short bobbed tail in Ben’s face.

  “And you, Lorcan, are beautiful.” Rue lowered one of her hands. The lynx shifter sniffed her fingers. “You know who I am, don’t you?” Lorcan licked her skin, and she laughed, the sound filling Ben’s heart with joy. “You do.”

  They did know who she was. She was their mate. Ben placed each paw carefully. They’d almost lost her today, but they’d never make that mistake again. They’d guard her, protect her, never let her go. She was theirs, and they were hers.

  Chapter Six

  As they neared the cottage, Rue sighed, resting her cheek on her big bear’s soft fur, drifting her fingers over Lorcan’s features, her lynx shifter prowling beside them. “I wish we could stay like this forever.” They couldn’t. She slipped off Ben’s back. Her abused feet touched the gravel, and she winced.

  Lorcan shifted, his arms shortening, his fur becoming smooth skin, his ears shrinking. “You’re hurt.” He scooped her into his arms, holding her against his naked human form. Heat rolled off him.

  “I have a few scratches. That’s all.” Rue breathed deeply inhaling his fresh musky scent. She didn’t smell as clean as he did. She was covered with grime, and the remnants of last night’s orgy. “I should go home. I need a shower.”

  “You’re already home.” Ben placed one of his rough palms on her right leg as though he needed to touch her, to reassure himself she was there. He’d shifted quickly and silently, transforming from bear to man in mere seconds. “You’ll shower here.”

  He opened the door, and Lorcan carried her inside, his tread soundless. “I can walk,” Rue insisted. “You don’t have to carry me.”

  “I want to carry you.” Lorcan strode with her into a huge gleaming white bathroom. “Ben will wash you.” The bear shifter turned on the shower and adjusted the temperature. Lorcan continued to hold her, his fingers splayed over her skin.

  “You could both wash me,” Rue suggested.

  “I prefer to watch.” Lorcan met her gaze. In his eyes, she saw his lynx, wild and savage and deadly. He’d killed to protect her today. They both had. Lorcan calmly washed the blood off his face.

  “Cats don’t like water,” Ben rumbled, reaching out for her. Lorcan’s fingers slid across Rue’s skin as he released her, leaving trails of awareness over her body. Her nipples tightened.

  “We’ll give him a good show.” Rue looped her arms around Ben’s neck. Lorcan slid a bath stool into the shower, avoiding the spraying water. “You’ve done this before,” she observed.

  Ben sat down, settling her on his naked lap. “I don’t always come out of battles unscathed.” He was hard, his huge cock brushing against her.

  “I’ve been told violence is part of a shifter’s life.”
She stretched her feet out, washing the dirt off her skin, the water warm and soothing. “If you were to have a female permanently in your home, you’d likely look for another shifter, right?” The thought of them with another woman made her stomach twist. “A human would be too weak, unable to protect you.”

  “Fuck that,” Lorcan spat. “We can protect ourselves and you.” He paced outside the shower stall, the glass separating them. “You’re our mate, Rue, and when you’re clean and dry, we’ll prove that to you. We’ll fuck you senseless, covering you with our cum, our scent.” His fervent declaration made Rue’s pussy moisten.

  Ben rubbed a sudsy washcloth over her legs. “What Mr. Sensitive meant to say was you’re exactly what we need, what we want, what we crave.” He prodded between her thighs, and she opened to him, hooking her legs over his. Bubbles floated in the air. Soft cotton swept over her feminine folds and she moaned.

  “Hurry, bear.” Lorcan moved faster and faster. “Her scent is driving my cat crazy.”

  Rue docilely allowed Ben to wash her. “Lorcan.” He met her gaze, his cat eyes wild. Her scent did that to him, made him insane. A strength filled her, a sense of control she’d lost during the wolf attack. “You want me.”

  “We both want you.” Ben’s hard cock pressed against her spine.

  These two formidable men wanted her. She might not have her own power, but she had theirs. “Do you want to touch me?” Rue cupped her breasts and pinched her nipples, the sharp pain exciting her.

  “Fuck!” Lorcan slid the glass door open, stepped inside, his face dark with emotion. He then yelped, jumping backward. Water dripped down his chest.

  “Bad human.” Ben chuckled, his big body shaking. Rue smiled, her heart lightening. Could this work permanently? The three of them?

  Lorcan shook himself, spraying water everywhere. “She’s clean enough.”

  “Agreed.” Ben heaved her over one of his great shoulders and stood. Rue shrieked, her body perched too high off the hard tile floor. He turned and water pelted against her skull, wetting her hair.

  “Ben,” she spluttered, slapping his broad back, his form pure muscle. “You’re drowning me.”

  Lorcan grabbed a huge fluffy white towel from the chrome rack and spread it wide. “Give her to me.” Rue was transferred again and enveloped in softness and warmth. Her lynx shifter patted her curves, rubbed the towel over her hair, drying every inch of her skin. She couldn’t remember the last time someone had cared for her as they did, with kindness, caring, love.

  Rue stiffened. I love them. When did that happen?

  “What is it?” Lorcan peered at her closely, his cold nose brushing against hers, her face reflected in his eyes. “Are you in pain?”

  “No.” She captured his handsome face between her palms. “I want you, both of you.” Rue pressed her lips against his. Lorcan pressed back, darting his cat tongue between her parted teeth, invading her mouth. He tasted of blood, vengeance, and lust. She moaned, wiggling closer to him, curling her fingers over his nape.

  Big hands swept her hand to one side and another set of lips sucked on her shoulder, pulling on her skin. Rue arched into Ben, encouraging him. She wanted both of her men, both of her mates.

  Lorcan slid his tongue along hers, stroking into her mouth, forcing her to open wider to him, to give him access to everything. Ben pulled the towel away, removing that barrier between their bodies. He kneaded her ass with his rough fingers.

  They moved. She didn’t know how, her mouth fused to Lorcan’s, her smaller body sandwiched between her men’s larger forms. One moment they were in the bathroom, the next moment they were sprawled on the bed, their limbs entangling.

  “Rue, love.” Ben turned her face toward him and covered her humming lips with his. He tasted as wild as Lorcan had, his tongue thicker, flatter, filling her mouth.

  Lorcan moved down her body, his lips firm on her skin, his breath hot. He spread her ass cheeks, stroked down that forbidden crevice, and Rue trembled, knowing what her big cat wanted. “So pretty and pink.” He circled her puckered hole with his fingertips. “All I want is to be inside you. Will you give me that, mate?”

  She nodded, her lips pressed against Ben’s, trusting Lorcan with her body. He was fierce and savage, but he’d never hurt her. She knew that in her soul.

  “Such a good mate,” Lorcan purred. Cool gel dripped on her ass, and she jerked. Ben held her, massaging her face with his fingers, rumbling comforting words into her mouth. He was there also. They both had her. They wouldn’t let her go.

  Rue relaxed as Lorcan swirled the lube into her skin, his touch soothing. The scent of vanilla filled her nostrils. Ben stroked his hands along her side, achingly close to her breasts.

  Lorcan prodded her with his fingertips and Rue stiffened. “Easy,” Ben rumbled, meeting her gaze. She sucked in her breath as Lorcan pushed one of his fingers into her ass, the invasion strange and a little scary.

  “You can do this, mate.” Ben leaned his forehead against hers, his breath wafting over her skin. “For us.”

  “For us,” Rue agreed, wanting this, wanting both of them. Lorcan pumped her slowly, his finger slicked with lube, and she loosened, accepting his touch.

  “She’s so fuckin’ tight.” Lorcan’s voice lilted with awe. “So small.” He added a second finger, stretching her open, and Rue inhaled sharply, clenching around him.

  Ben cupped her right breast, his palm rough against her sensitive skin. He squeezed and released, squeezed and released, distracting her as Lorcan slid his fingers in and out of her ass. Rue arched into Ben’s hand, pressing her nipple against him.

  “She might be too small,” Lorcan murmured, his tone edged with despair. “I could hurt her.”

  “You won’t,” she reassured him. “I can take you.” She wanted to take him, to take both of them. “I’ve dreamed about this, Lorcan, about you filling my ass while Ben filled my pussy.”

  Ben’s cock bobbed against her stomach. “We’ll take it slowly,” her big bear shifter advised. He swept his thumb over Rue’s nipple, and she quivered, her arousal building. “Make our mate’s dreams come true, lynx.” He smiled at Rue.

  She smiled back, warmth spreading across her chest. “I love you, Ben.” The truth slipped out and she stilled, her heart stuttering. Ben’s smile spread, his expression boyish, almost giddy.

  “I’m the one making your dreams come true,” Lorcan grumbled. She heard hurt in his gruff voice. “You should love me too.”

  He’s jealous. Rue stifled her laugh, relief rushing over her. She hadn’t damaged their relationship with her declaration. “I do love you too, Lorcan, and I trust you more than I’ve trusted any other man. I only want your cock in my ass, claiming that part of me.” She met Ben’s gaze. “Unless you want to take my ass also.”

  “I’m too large.” He reached between their bodies and cupped her mons, his grip thrillingly possessive. “And bears prefer honey.”

  “You don’t know what you’re missing.” Lorcan removed his fingers.

  Rue wiggled, feeling empty and needing more, needing him. “I know what I’m missing.” She glanced over her shoulder. Lorcan ran glistening fingers over his shaft, working his cock with an awe-inspiring ferocity. “Slick that big dick faster, lynx.” She referred to him as Ben did, by his animal. “I need you now.”

  Lorcan chuckled, the wicked sound curling her toes. “Impatient human.”

  “I’ll distract her.” Ben slipped his fingers into her pussy and Rue arched, pressing her hands against his chest, his touch captivating her. As he pumped her slowly, she played with the hair on his chest, the brown curls thick and deliciously soft.

  Rough fingers grasped her hips, smooth hot flesh bumped against Rue’s ass, and her body automatically tensed, protesting the intrusion. “Open, Rue,” Lorcan growled.

  She tried to relax, breathing in, breathing out. Her anxiety increased, instead of decreasing. “I can’t relax,” she confessed, her muscles locked.

  “You can.
” Lorcan slapped her ass, Ben plunged his fingers deep in her pussy, and Rue gasped, shocked by the dual assault. Her body loosened, and Lorcan pushed past her ring of resistance, sinking deeper, his cock sliding along her walls, his progress painfully slow.

  “Faster,” she urged, digging her fingernails into Ben’s chest.

  Lorcan’s grip on her hips tightened. He pulled her into him as he pushed forward. Her ass cheeks pressed against his warm skin, and the erotic onslaught stopped. “Fuck, you’re snug.” She squeezed her ass muscles around his shaft, and he groaned.

  “Minx.” He rolled onto his back, taking her with him. Rue’s legs splayed open, her pussy wet and empty. “Make it quick, bear. I won’t last long. She feels too good.”

  “Are you okay?” Ben cupped her cheek, her gentle giant’s brown eyes filled with concern. “This is enough. We don’t have to do more.”

  Rue lowered her gaze to his huge cock. A bead of precum formed on his tip. She licked her lips, remembering how good he tasted. “I need you too, Ben. I want to feel both of my men inside me, loving me.” She reached for him, wrapped her fingers around his shaft, and brazenly guided him closer.

  Ben docilely lowered his body over hers, bracing himself up by his arms, his form large and warm, his muscles flexing. “I love you, Rue.” He brushed her lips with his.

  She blinked. “You love me?” She released his cock and placed her hands on his broad shoulders.

  “Yes, yes, we both love you,” Lorcan muttered, hooking his arms around her waist. “We’ll fuck now and talk later.”

  They both love me. Rue summoned up a wobbly smile, a band of savage emotion constricting around her chest. “Now who’s impatient?”

  Ben chuckled, his fur-covered chest rubbing against her nipples. “You are both impatient.” He pushed his tip between her pussy lips and paused. Rue widened her eyes, the fullness unlike anything she’d ever experienced.