Shared for Love: Kagan Wolves, Book 2

by Nancy Corrigan

  For so many years, their encounters had been limited. Whenever they grabbed a chance to be together, lust had ruled. It simmered between them with Hannah in their arms, but there was more than desire fueling the dance of their tongues. Love passed between them. Hannah’s tentative caress on his jaw intensified it.

  “Beautiful.”

  Her single whispered word pulled Ethan’s attention to her and ended the sensual kiss with Noah, at least for the moment. Hannah’s dilated eyes matched the praise she’d given. She’d enjoyed the show.

  “It was, but so are you.” Ethan bent and gave her another kiss, but she quickened the strokes, demanding more than the reverence he offered. He eased back and glanced at Noah before he gave in to her. “Your turn. Kiss her until you know she’ll do anything for us.”

  Noah inclined his head, then glanced at Hannah. “You already will. Won’t you, love?”

  Ethan slipped one hand free and pressed against the back of Noah’s head, urging him closer to Hannah. “I said kiss her, not talk to her.”

  Noah’s soft chuckle reached Ethan’s ears before it became muffled by Hannah’s mouth. She’d stretched forward and kissed him, taking the choice out of his hands. Noah growled and took her from Ethan’s arms, then pushed her back against Ethan’s chest and ate at her mouth with barely leashed hunger. The sight pleased Ethan.

  “Beautiful.” He repeated the praise Hannah had given.

  Too caught up in the moment, neither of them responded to Ethan’s whispered word. He didn’t mind. It gave him a chance to watch them together. Ethan let his wolf feel what it did to him. How aroused it made him to see Noah lost in the moment.

  Noah ran his hands over Hannah’s sides and yanked at the ties of her robe, tugging the knot free, but he didn’t part the material. He grasped her wrists and pulled them taut over her head. She gasped, the sound swallowed by Noah’s crazed kiss. He released her arms, but she didn’t drop them. She arched, pushing her shoulders into Ethan’s chest, and grabbed at his head, holding on tight while Noah kissed her.

  “Fuck, yes.” Ethan closed his eyes and enjoyed the pinch of her nails in his scalp. “Kiss her harder. I want to hear her whimper for you.”

  Noah kept loving her mouth, over and over, until she offered up the soft sound Ethan craved, but Hannah’s restless squirming demanded more. Ethan reached around her body and cupped her breasts, pinching and rolling her nipples. More moans rewarded him, but her quicker breaths spoke of how excited she’d grown from only their kiss.

  Noah had given her the first orgasm she’d shared with them. Ethan wanted the second, and he wanted her to come apart around his dick. He might not be able to fuck her on his pack’s sacred grounds for fear of being discovered, but the Kagan’s ceremonial circle was close. Her pack spirit would bless them, guaranteeing they’d always be drawn to each other. He was certain of it.

  She would know the depth of his commitment to her then. The significance of the act wouldn’t be lost on her. He would never experience the same passion in any other female’s arms as he would with her. She’d own him, maybe not literally, but she’d be the only woman who would be able to bring him to his knees and make him beg. Then again, he’d have the same rights. Damn if that didn’t appeal to him. He didn’t mind admitting it either.

  He fisted Noah’s hair and tugged, forcing him to break the kiss, then waited for him to meet Ethan’s gaze. “She’s mine next.”

  “Then I get to hold her while you lick her clit.”

  “You see, lover, that’s not how this is going to work.” Ethan repeated the words Noah had given the night before. “I want her, and I’m taking her as is my right.”

  “Your right?” Confusion pinched her brows.

  He nodded, a slow dip of his head that left her gazing at him wide-eyed. “I’m going to make love to you for the first time on the ceremonial field in the way of an alpha. You understand what that means, don’t you? That your body will belong to me just as mine will be yours?”

  “Yes.” Barely audible, the single word held excitement.

  He grinned. “And after I’m done loving you, Noah will. He’s going to fuck you while I watch and fill you up too. When I said you’d belong to us, I meant it, even if it’s only symbolic. He will claim you every way I do, so if that’s not what you want, tell me now, and we’ll…”

  They’d what? Anything else would cut Noah out of their life…out of their eternity. He was certain of it.

  “I want him. I want you. Both of you, every way I can take you.” She turned in his arms and rested her palms against his chest. “But what are you talking about? You don’t have the right to make love to me on your pack’s sacred grounds or mine. You’re not from the alpha family. You were born to beta parents.”

  He covered her hands. “Yes, I was raised by two wonderful, amazing beta shifters, but I was born by an emergency caesarian section performed on the old alpha’s mate the night Michael took over. I’m the last Jager male, and with you by my side, I’m going to reclaim my pack.”

  She blinked a couple of times but didn’t say anything for a long moment. Finally, she whispered, “How did you find out?”

  He sensed the danger looming ahead but couldn’t lie to her. She needed to understand everything. “My foster mother told me. I was more aggressive than my brother, Owen, and used to push him away from her whenever she gave him attention.”

  He rubbed at the back of his neck. The exact memories had faded, but he hadn’t forgotten any of the times his brother had cried because of him. “I was more dominant and acted on it. I’m not proud of it, but I was only three or four at the time. I didn’t know any better. Once she explained why, I worked hard not to treat Owen differently. We aren’t animals, she’d said. We’re brothers, if only by love.”

  Anger flashed across Hannah’s expression. She scrunched her nose and shoved him, catching him off guard. He stumbled into the counter at his back and grabbed on to the edge so as not to fall on his ass.

  She stood there, his little warrior, with her fists curled at her sides and body vibrating. “Excuse me? You knew you were the old alpha’s son for what… Fifty years?”

  He dipped his head. “About that, give or take a year.”

  She took a step forward, then another until she invaded his personal space. She grabbed the collar of his shirt and tugged, forcing him to her eye level. “So you knew you were the rightful shifter to house your pack’s spirit and that you were strong enough to take it back from Michael. Am I following this correctly?”

  He sighed. “Yes.”

  “So why haven’t you? You’ve told me how unhappy you were with the way Michael ruled your pack. You’ve even questioned whether or not he’s the one responsible for the horrible accidents that have plagued your pack mates. So why have you let them suffer?”

  Noah stepped next to her. “Aren’t you even a little bit happy that he didn’t challenge Michael? Had Ethan claimed his pack upon maturity, he would’ve taken a mate and had at least one kid with her by now.” He narrowed his eyes. “And you would’ve missed out on us.”

  “Of course, I’m grateful for that.” She glanced from Noah to him, an imploring look in her eyes. “But I don’t understand how a dominant as strong as you are could just stand by and watch Michael cleanse your pack of members he deems unimportant. Explain it to me, Ethan. Please. Because it sounds damn selfish to me.”

  “Selfish?” Noah spun her to face him. “You have no idea what you’re talking about. Ethan has done everything he could to help our pack. He’s invested nearly every dollar he’s earned and has been slipping money to our pack mates in need. He’s also been manipulating Michael so he doesn’t fly off the damn handle and punish someone whenever something goes wrong.”

  “And that’s great, but it doesn’t explain why he let the fucker live!” She spat the words in Noah’s face.

  “He had to.
He…” Noah ground his teeth. “Can’t you just be glad he’s able to claim you?” He cupped her face in his hands. “He’s going to soul-bond to you. Love you for eternity. I want him to do that. I want him to hold you close so you’re never alone.” He pressed his forehead to hers. “Being alone hurts, Hannah. I don’t want you to ever experience it.”

  Ethan ran his hand down Noah’s back before pulling Hannah close. She didn’t fight him. She looked at him with tears in her eyes. “The truth is that I didn’t challenge Michael because I couldn’t take a mate.”

  Her expression softened. “You were waiting for your true mate.”

  He wanted to agree, knowing it would make her feel special. It’d be a lie. He refused to tell her any.

  “I was waiting for a female to arouse me.” At her pinched brow, he sighed. “No female before you ever got my dick to rise. I couldn’t become alpha without a mate. You know how it works. Without a mate, I can’t produce an heir. Every dominant from our pack and across the states would’ve challenged me.”

  She mapped his face with her gaze. Trying to pick out his lie, maybe? He didn’t know, nor did he want to guess what she thought.

  She rested her hand over his cheek. “How is that possible?”

  He leaned into her touch and closed his eyes. “I don’t know. I felt like a failure for so long. Other than Noah, I’ve never wanted anyone else sexually.”

  She sucked in a breath. “You…”

  “Yes.” He met her shocked gaze. “You heard me right. You and Noah are the only two people I ever got aroused for.” He took her hand in his and twined their fingers. “Now do you understand why I struggled with my attraction to you? I couldn’t bear the thought of losing him in order to be with you, and it was driving me mad.”

  He held his other hand out to Noah. The moment their fingers met, Ethan drew him close. “I love you both, more than either of you can ever imagine. I don’t care if we call each other true mates or mates of the heart. You’re both mine. Simple as that.”

  Emotions painted themselves across Hannah’s face. From disbelief to confusion to happiness—the rampant flowed through her. He took satisfaction in seeing every one, not because he enjoyed upsetting her. The pleasure came from knowing see trusted him enough to share them.

  Ethan brushed the edge of their joined hand over her cheek. “I see the questions in your eyes. Ask whatever is bothering you. I want no secrets or doubts between us.”

  “I’ve heard you keep regular human…umm…”

  A smile tugged at his lips. He bit his inner cheek to keep it at bay. “Hookers?”

  “Yes.” She nodded. “How could you if…”

  He kissed the tip of her nose. “I do have several women who I would visit every couple of weeks. I paid them to have dinner with me and keep my secret. Pathetic, I know.”

  “It’s not.” She smiled, a full, beautiful one that spread warmth through him. “I’m sure those women enjoyed your company.”

  All the odd friendships he’d developed over the years surfaced. The joy on their faces when he’d shown up with take-out bags or ingredients for meals had been a treat he’d savored.

  “They did.” He snorted. “It was still pathetic, but I had no choice. I couldn’t let anyone suspect the truth. How could I? It would’ve made me appear weak. I hated feeling less of a male, and even tried pleasuring shifter females years ago, hoping their arousal would spark mine. It didn’t work. Nothing did, not until I met—”

  “Me.” Her whispered word held awe.

  “Yes, not until you.” He linked his arms around her waist. “And now that you know the truth, do you still want me?”

  She kissed him. Love—that was what he felt in every soft stroke of her tongue against his. He gave it back, pouring his feelings into her. It wasn’t hard when she held him. She made it easy, actually. It was impossible not to give her everything.

  She eased back and glanced between him and Noah. “Yes. I want both of you, but if we go to my pack’s ceremonial field, there’s a chance we might get caught. Granted, it’s a slim chance. Only the alpha family has the right to go there on any night other than the full moon, and I doubt Nic will be there. Riley’s been tired because of the babies.”

  Ethan skimmed his hand over her hair, smoothing the wayward strands. “Would any of your pack mates betray our secret?”

  “No, but…” She peeked at Noah. He watched her through narrowed eyes. She turned away, shaking her head. “Nothing, it’s nothing.”

  Noah’s nostrils flared. “She doesn’t want anyone to know I’m going to be a part of her life.”

  She faced Noah. “I didn’t say that. I was merely—”

  “Enough.” Ethan’s command dropped between them, silencing both of them. He tied her robe, then swung her into his arms. “We can’t expect this to be easy. Each of us needs to grow accustomed to our unusual relationship.”

  He glanced at Noah, letting him see the warning in his eyes not to ruin their fragile arrangement. “It’ll take time, which we’re short on at the moment. We have our life ahead of us to strengthen our bond, but only tonight to love Hannah for the first time.”

  Noah nodded sharply. “I’ll go on ahead and make sure there’s nobody nearby.”

  He turned and strode out of the house before Ethan could call him back.

  “I didn’t mean to upset him. It’s just that…” She nibbled her lip.

  “I understand. We both do.”

  “Do you? I’m excited about the idea of being with the two of you, but it feels naughty, like I should be ashamed to want any other male besides my mate.” She turned imploring eyes on him. “As a female shifter, we’re raised thinking we’ll only love our mate, even if he’s not our true mate.”

  He gave her a wan smile. “I felt like an asshole for six months thinking the same thing. I’m tired of fighting fate. Somehow, I have two mates. I’m not stupid enough to turn my back on either of you, so let’s take the leap of faith and love each other.” He skimmed his gaze to her breasts. “And I’ve waited a long time to lose myself in a woman. I don’t want to wait another hour, let alone another night.”

  “Neither do I, Ethan. Neither do I.” She kissed his throat and slid her hand over the hard dick hidden by his pants. “So let’s make this one memorable.”

  Chapter Sixteen

  Power hung in the air around the Kagan’s ceremonial circle. It tasted different on Ethan’s tongue from his pack’s energy, but it resonated within him the same way. The mystical spirit recognized him. The similarity reminded Ethan of one truth—no matter which pack they belonged to, they were all tied together.

  He stood on the very edge of the ring marking the sacred grounds and let the welcoming touch of the Kagan’s spirit strengthen him, much as he suspected it did for Nic whenever he came to the spot. No temptation to claim the source of the power teased Ethan’s mind the way it did near his pack’s circle. He simply felt peace, even acceptance. It was as if he’d finally come home, even though he knew the patch of grass didn’t belong to him.

  Hannah’s satisfied groan yanked his attention to her. She’d taken several steps into the field and stood with her arms stretched slightly behind her and her head tipped back. A smile graced her lips.

  Mine.

  The single word settled over him, and everything it implied wove into his being. It meant more than possession, though that was part of it. She was the one who’d mend the crack in his broken heart, binding both halves of him together—animal and man.

  He glanced at Noah, who mirrored his position on the opposite side of the circle. Noah shifted his gaze from Hannah to him. Anticipation and lust gave his green eyes a shimmering quality, mesmerizing Ethan.

  A lifetime of memories and understanding passed between them. The truth Noah had given Hannah about wanting her to mate Ethan hadn’t been an empty statement to ease her u
ncertainty. Noah had experienced grief and didn’t want Ethan or Hannah to ever feel it. The selflessness behind his conviction intensified the bond between them.

  He gave his lover a small nod and approached Hannah, stepping close but not touching her. “Are you ready to become mine?”

  She straightened. Lip caught between her teeth, she tugged his shirt from his pants and undid the buttons, working her way from the top to the bottom. The material parted. She ran her palm over the contours of his stomach. Her breathing quickened, but she didn’t move to undress him further.

  She raised her gaze to him. “But I won’t be yours until you mate me. Not completely.”

  “I will mate you. Tomorrow night, right after I become alpha.” He stroked a single finger over the delicate spot on her shoulder that would soon mark her as his. “You’ll be waiting for me in my bed.”

  “Won’t it be dangerous for me to be there? I’ve heard—”

  “You won’t be alone. Noah will guard you.”

  Ethan traced a path over her upper chest, right along the edge of her robe. He wanted it off her, but if he undid the tie and exposed her body, he’d be lost. It couldn’t happen yet. She wanted to talk. He wanted her on her knees, his dick in her mouth. Her needs came first.

  “And what if you decide…” She glanced away.

  He tipped her head back to look into her face. “What?”

  “What if you decide tomorrow that loving me was a mistake?”

  Again Ethan wondered who had hurt her. It was the only explanation he could come up with for her insecurity. He let the curiosity go. They’d have time to talk about the past later. The present concerned him.

  “I could ask you the same thing. My lack of experience with a female’s body might change your mind.” He grinned. “Maybe I won’t satisfy you.”

  She huffed. “I don’t think that’ll be a problem.”

  He shrugged. “You won’t know until I try.”

  “Then try.” She caressed his cock with the back of her hand. “And after you make me come, I’ll return the favor.”