“I can’t. Ethan ordered me not to change my routine. He doesn’t want to tip off Michael that anything is up, and I haven’t attended the full-moon ceremony in years.”
He leaned forward and kissed the spot on her shoulder where her mate mark would soon be displayed. “And Ethan wants to mate you while the magic of the night is strong. He’s hoping that somehow the spirit wolf will be able to bind the three of us if we’re together.”
She slid her hand to the back of Noah’s head and held him close. “Do you think it’ll work?”
He nibbled on her shoulder, then worked his way along the column of her throat to her ear. “Honestly, no. At least not the way Ethan wants. Love will bind us and help us find each other in the afterlife or the next one if we’re rebirthed. I’m certain of it, but I’m not against trying it Ethan’s way either. I’m looking forward to being with you again.”
Her breathing quickened. Thoughts of the previous night mixed with anticipation of what they would share after Ethan became alpha. She turned her head and caught Noah’s gaze. Desire burned in his green eyes. “So am I.”
“Hannah”—he dropped his heated stare to her lips—“I want you to belong to him. To me. So no one can take you away from us.”
“Nobody will. I’m your true mate and Ethan’s. Last night proved it. I brought both of you peace.”
“Yeah.” He dragged in a rough breath. “It did, and I want everyone to know it too. Last night after you fell asleep, Ethan and I talked about the future. How we’d share you.”
She frowned. “I thought we’d live together. Sleep together. Take turns being with each other.”
His lips lifted in a lopsided smile. “We will. That’s not what I’m talking about.”
“Then what are you saying?”
He took her left hand in his and stroked her ring finger. Her heart skipped a beat at the significance of what the simple caress implied.
“Ethan will be your mate in the shifter world, and I…” He lifted his gaze to hers. “I want to be your husband in the human world.”
Husband. He wanted to be her husband. He’d be hers, not just symbolically but officially. Legally.
“Noah.” She couldn’t say anything else. Tears clogged her throat.
He grinned, obviously seeing the happiness in her expression.
“Will you marry, Hannah? Will you be my wife?”
She threw her arms around him. “Yes. Yes, I’ll be your wife.”
He squeezed her tightly. A shudder ran through him. “We’ll have a shifter wedding. The three of us. We’ll all wear rings, but the legal paperwork for the humans will show you as my wife. That’s okay with you, isn’t it?”
She kissed him. “Yes. That’s okay with me. Ethan’s okay with it too, right?”
“It was his idea.” He eased back. “He loves us both, Hannah. We’re very lucky.”
“We are”—she caught her lip between her teeth—“which is why it’s hard for me to sit and wait while I know he’s in danger.”
“Trust him. He’s strong, and he’s planned tonight well. Michael expects him to show up at the circle for the mating run. Ethan will, but once it starts, he’ll stay behind and challenge Michael in front of the rest of the pack.”
She closed her eyes and focused on her racing heart until it slowed. Noah had told her the details of Ethan’s conversation with Michael and how he was convinced Ethan wanted to mate Maria. “I do trust him. This is ultimately his fight anyway.”
Mated to the alpha, she’d have to get used to his life being in danger. Challenges were rare, but they did happen. Violence was part of their lives. It was the harsh reality of being a shifter.
“Good. Now crawl behind the seats. It’s time to smuggle you into my house.”
She glanced at him. His grin fit the humor in his voice. She matched his smile. It was impossible not to. “Okay, but you do realize it’s a tight squeeze, even for me. I’m going to get a cramp.”
He unbuckled her, then tugged on her hand. “I’m sorry, but it’s the safest way. And I’ll rub any sore muscles you get.”
She worked her way into the small storage area between the front seats and the back of the cab. Noah covered her with a blanket.
“Are you okay?” he asked.
“Yes, but let’s make this quick. Okay?”
He patted her bottom. “Absolutely, love.”
The truck moved a moment later. The half-hour drive from the Kagan pack lands to Noah’s house felt longer, but nobody stopped them. Noah pulled into his garage, locked the truck with her inside, then disappeared into the house. She held her breath while he checked out the place.
Her worry for Ethan built without Noah’s calm presence, but she held his words close and took comfort from them. Ethan was strong. She didn’t doubt his ability to defeat Michael. The spirit wolf also wanted to be returned to Ethan. She would put her faith in the mystical animal too and trust that it would do what it could to protect him.
Several minutes passed. Finally, the truck door opened. Noah’s scent swept into the cab. He yanked the blanket off her. “Hannah, we have a problem.”
“What happened?”
He glanced over his shoulder, then met her gaze. “Maria’s inside. She got here a few minutes ago. Michael’s ordered her to participate in the mating run, but—”
“What? Why?” She stared at Noah wide-eyed. “I thought he expected Ethan to be there. Isn’t Michael worried Ethan will go after her?”
“I don’t know what he was hoping would happen. I just know why he did it.” Noah rubbed his thumb in a soothing back-and-forth motion over the pounding vein in her wrist. “He found out that instead of spending time with me, she’s been seeing Alex. Sleeping with him.”
“You were lying for her?”
“Yes. Michael demands to know where she’s at, who she’s with. Using me as an excuse was easy. I can’t mate her, so I’m not a threat.”
“Great.” She pinched the bridge of her nose. “Now what?”
“Michael gave her a choice—participate in the run, or he’d give her to one of his dominants. No way would he allow her to spend another night with a worthless human.”
She groaned. “This isn’t good.”
“Actually, for Maria it’s going to be okay. I just have to get her back to Michael’s house.”
“Excuse me? Why?”
“Because Nic, Quinn, and several dominants from your pack are on their way there as we speak to retrieve her. Quinn is claiming courting rights, saying he suspects she’s his true mate.”
The antiquated custom was rarely invoked, but given that Michael supported the old ways, it was a perfect reprieve for Maria. Hannah grinned. “And Michael can’t refuse.”
Noah took her hand and helped her from the car. “Especially not after Quinn sent an official request to Michael and copied all the alphas in the States on the email.”
She chuckled. “He’s smart, that’s for sure. I’d hate to be in Maria’s shoes, though. Living with a shifter male who wants her while her human lover is minutes away is not going to be easy.”
Noah shrugged. “She’ll figure it out, and while she does, she’ll be safe. That’s the most important thing.”
“Okay, but why do you have to go?”
He scrubbed a hand down his face. “I don’t, but she’s angry. I’m worried she’ll take off instead of going with Quinn. She didn’t come here for me to make sure she got back to the house safely. She wants me to help her get off our pack lands, so I lied to her and told her I would.”
She shook her head. “She’s going to be furious with you.”
“I know, but too many of our pack mates have disappeared once they left. Look at what happened to Owen. I wouldn’t be able to live with myself if Maria was taken too.” Noah pulled Hannah into his arms. “It’ll take me twenty minu
tes tops to drive out there and another twenty to get back here. An hour. That’s the most I’ll be gone. I hate the idea of leaving you alone, but nobody knows you’re with me.”
Trepidation settled over her, along with a sense of jealousy. The first didn’t surprise her, not with the worry that had been eating away at her all day, but the latter shamed her. She had no reason to be jealous. Noah was her true mate. He’d just asked her to marry him too. He wouldn’t choose another female’s safety over hers. The fact that the thought even took root made her angry. She was better than that. Noah was acting as a pack dominant, worrying about his pack mate. She should do the same.
“If I even suspected you’d be in danger, I wouldn’t suggest it. You know that right?”
“Yes.” She inhaled slowly and pushed from his embrace. “I know that.”
He studied her a moment as if he suspected she were upset over his suggestion, then he shook his head. “Never mind. I’ll tell her she needs to go home and deal with Quinn. I don’t even know why I considered it.”
He turned his back on her and strode for the door leading into the house. She grabbed his arm. “No. Wait.”
He glanced over his shoulder.
“Nobody knows I’m here, and you’re only going to be gone an hour. I’ll be fine.” She raised her chin. “Besides, you won’t be the only one upset if something happens to Maria. I’ll blame myself too.”
“No, Hannah. You shouldn’t—”
“Once Ethan mates me, I’ll be the alpha female. Part of that role is guiding my pack when they’re driven to make poor choices. It also means protecting them. This situation with Maria involves both.” She motioned toward the door. “Take care of Maria. I’ll wait inside for you to get back.”
“You’re sure?”
“Absolutely.”
Noah hugged her. “You’re going to make an amazing alpha female. I’m proud to call you mine.”
She kissed his roughened cheek. “And I’m glad to be yours.”
“An hour. You won’t even notice I’m gone.” He cupped her face in his hands. “The shades are all drawn, but I want you to wait upstairs in my bedroom with the lights out. I have a gun in my nightstand just in case.”
“Okay. It’ll be fine.”
She stepped to the side of the truck. Noah handed her the blanket, her purse, and the small bag of personal items she’d packed, then grabbed a can of air freshener from the table in the back of the garage. He doused the interior of the cab with the floral-scented spray. That done, he faced her.
“Come on. I’ll show you where my bedroom is. I’ve got to grab a quick shower, then I’ll get Maria out of here.”
She followed him inside and ignored the uneasy feeling settling in her stomach that told her she was being a fool.
Chapter Twenty-One
Another loop around his living room, and Ethan cursed. Twenty minutes had passed since Ella called with an update on the shifter auction. The description of the sale’s main offering—a male with dark brown hair, hazel eyes, and a lean build—fit Owen. Not a guarantee. The combination of traits was common among shifters. Instinct told him it was his brother. Or maybe he just wanted to believe it. Either way, Ella had promised to call back with the final word.
“I need to be patient. Owen’s going to be the last sale, and these things take time.”
He rolled his shoulders and forced his fingers to unclench. The tension tightening his muscles and the anxiety squeezing his chest weren’t helping him. He needed to mentally prepare for the upcoming full moon ceremony and the death he’d soon deliver. Necessary or not, he dreaded taking Michael’s life. The male deserved it. Ethan didn’t question that. It was the fact that he’d have to willingly embrace his primal side and become a killer.
A lifetime he’d fought to keep his wolf contained. In mere hours, he’d give the animal free rein, and the two people who could tame it weren’t going to be close by once he emerged from the ring.
He glanced from the clock on the wall to the landline sitting on his desk. The urge to hear their voices took over. A quick call would soothe him. He snatched the phone and dialed Hannah’s cell. She was still adjusting to their relationship and would appreciate knowing he needed her.
She answered on the first ring. “Ethan, are you okay?”
The concern in her voice warmed him. “Yes, I’m good. I just wanted to hear your voice.”
“Thank goodness.” Her relieved sigh sounded loud on the line. “I’ve been a wreck thinking about what you’ll be facing tonight.”
“Don’t be. I’ve been preparing for this fight all my life. I’ll win it, especially now that I have a future to look forward to with you and Noah.”
A long moment passed before she cleared her throat. “Did you know he was going to…”
Her words trailed off but the excitement in her voice told him what she referred to.
He grinned. “Ask you to marry him?”
“Yes.” Her breathy exhale was easy to hear. “I didn’t know if he jumped the gun and asked too soon because you weren’t there.”
“No. I told him I didn’t mind. With the full moon tonight, we’re short on time. I wanted both of you to know I see Noah as your mate too, not just your lover.”
“You’re an amazing male, Ethan. I love you.”
He closed his eyes. Her words seeped into him. Strengthened him. It was the first time she’d spoken them. Too bad he wasn’t there to pull her into his arms and kiss her. Make love to her. Soon, he would. A couple more hours.
“And I love you.”
He glanced around his neat living room. If he mated Hannah while the full moon was at its peak, it wouldn’t stay organized for long. Their child would turn it upside down. At fifty-five years old, he was ready for it. Hannah, though? Whether she wanted to hear him say it or not, she was young. They had centuries ahead of them, and their relationship was new. She might not feel the same way.
“Hannah, there’s one other thing we need to talk about.”
“What’s that?”
“I want to mate you while the full moon is high, right after I become alpha. If I do, you’ll conceive.” He paused a moment, giving her a chance to get her emotions in order. “Are you okay with that? Or do you want me to wait until the peak fades? It’s completely up to you.”
One hour of every month had the potential to change the course of the pack, from conceptions to challenges. Once that magical time passed, their fate was locked in place, at least until the next full moon. The only exception was matings. Those could happen anytime the mood struck. A good thing too. Love didn’t follow a lunar cycle.
“No. I mean yes. I want you to mate me tonight while the moon is high.” Her words rushed out.
“Are you sure? We went from tiptoeing around our attraction for months to planning a life you never expected with two lovers instead of one.”
“Did it seem as if I minded last night? I thoroughly enjoyed experiencing both of you. If anything, I’d say I’m extremely lucky.”
He leaned against the back of the couch and closed his eyes. Memories of their night together flashed before him. He wanted to repeat them and make new ones. The possibilities open to them excited him beyond anything he’d considered before.
“I’d say we’re all lucky, but my point is I don’t want you to regret what we’ll do tonight.”
“Creating a child? Never. I’m looking forward to it, but maybe I should be asking you the same thing.”
A weight lifted off his shoulders, despite the confusion over her words. “The only thing I regret is—”
His cell phone beeped with a new message. He yanked it out of his back pocket. Noah’s image showed on the display. His confusion mounted, but Ethan swiped his finger across the screen and read.
Call me.
He read the message a second time and frowned. “
Will you put Noah on?”
“He’s not here.”
He straightened. “What do you mean he’s not there?”
“Umm…” She sighed. “Exactly how it sounds. He’s not here.”
He gripped the phone tighter. “You’re at his house.”
“Yes. I’m in his bedroom.”
“Alone. Is that what you’re telling me?” His voice deepened, and anger stirred his wolf. The animal paced. “Noah left you alone in his house, knowing full well what might happen to you if Michael found out what you mean to me.”
“Nobody knows I’m here, and he’ll be back soon. It’ll be okay.”
“No.” His wolf’s growl added to his making the word nearly incomprehensible. “It is not okay. I’m coming out there. Stay where you are and away from the windows.”
“Ethan, wait. If you come running out here, Michael will learn how important I am to you. Do you really think he’s not watching you?”
“I don’t care. You are important to me. If you die, I do.”
“You’re not soul-bonded to me. You won’t—”
“I’ll follow you. I am not living another goddamn day without you.”
“Hearing that makes me feel special, but there’s no need to rush out here. Noah said he’d be back in an hour. It’s already been close to forty-five minutes. I…”
Her words trailed off.
“Hannah?”
She didn’t answer. His pulse sped.
“Hannah! What’s happening? Are you okay?”
“Somebody’s here.”
Her whisper sent a wave of dread through him. Michael had found out about her. He was going to kill her.
“Noah has a gun in his nightstand. Use it. Don’t die on me, Hannah. You hear me? You keep fighting until I get there. I’m coming. Fast as I can.”
He ended the call and ran for the door. Fifteen minutes. That was how long it’d take to get to Noah’s house. Maybe ten if he sped. Too long. Noah lived on the opposite side of their pack lands.
Shared for Love: Kagan Wolves, Book 2 Page 21
