Winter Awakening

by Tl Reeve

  The man grinned before clearing his throat. “Now you will feel no rain, for each of you will be shelter for the other. Now you will feel no cold, for each of you will be warmth for the other. Now there will be no loneliness, for each of you will be a companion for the other. Now you are three people, but there is only one life before you. Go to the place you call home and begin your life together. May your days together be good and long upon the earth.”

  Tears blurred her vision. “Thank you.”

  The kindly man patted her hand. “You’re welcome.”

  “We didn’t want to use rings, so we went a little unconventional.” Ero opened a box she hadn’t seen. Inside on a bed of white cotton lay a pewter necklace. On the chain hung three paw prints. The primitive jewelry warmed her soul.

  “I love it.” She pushed her hair aside, giving him access to put it on her. Once it was fastened in place, she turned around and kissed him then rounded to do the same with Luc. “Thank you.”

  “You’re welcome.”

  “Are you ready to go home?” Ero picked up the parcels off the counter.

  “Yes. Let’s go.”

  ***

  Ero had wanted to try the diner in Deadwood, but, with a light snow falling, Luc knew in no time, it’d cover the ground and getting home would be almost impossible. Sarah sat between them in the truck. She hadn’t said much since they left the trading post, but he supposed she wouldn’t. Their plan had been a success, and tonight they would mate her together.

  They pulled into the driveway just as the snow had picked up. Already, a couple of inches lay on the ground, and, as he tasted the air upon getting out, he sensed by the morning there’d be more. “We’ll get the frame out if you want to go inside and check on Dylan.”

  The door opened, and there he stood, the bandage off his arm, a wide smile on his face. “You’re home.”

  Sarah hurried to her son’s side. “What are you doing out of bed?”

  “Aw, Mom. I got bored. Sam and I had bacon sammiches with Grandma. He has the toots again.” He giggled.

  “How’s your arm?” She ushered him into the house, leaving the door open for Luc and Ero.

  “We’ll grab the head and foot first then come back for the railing.”

  Luc nodded. “We need to grab our stuff from our rooms at The Den as well.”

  “I can do it while you and Sarah figure out what we want to do for dinner.” Ero pulled the tarp off the bed of his truck.

  “Sounds like a plan.” Luc grabbed the headboard.

  Once Ero pushed the tarp back in place to keep the elements off the rails, he made his way into the house and back to Sarah’s bedroom.

  “What are you doing here, Mr. Ero?” Charles stepped out of the bedroom down the hall from his mother.

  “Hey, Charles. Well, good question. I’m going to—”

  “There you are.” Sarah came out of the other bedroom. She wrapped her arms around the boy and gave him a hug. “Did you have a good day?”

  He nodded. “Yeah. We went hunting with Gramps. Jason was a wolf. It was awesome!”

  “Hunting, huh? Did you get anything?”

  The boy grew more excited by the second. “We got an elk. It was amazing, Mom. First Grandpa said shh. Then, out of nowhere, Uncle Jason steered the animal so close to us I could see the elk’s breath. Then he yipped like this.” The boy made a high-pitched sound. “And then, Mom”—he touched her arm—“this is the best part. Gramps raised his gun, and boom! He shot it. He stumbled a little and Uncle Jason grabbed its legs with his teeth, and it toppled over and hit the ground.”

  The excitement radiating off of the boy made Ero smile. “Wow. Sounds like you had an epic adventure today.”

  “Uh-huh. Mom, what’s Mr. Ero doing here?”

  She glanced at him then back down at her son. “I think we should get Dylan and talk about this over dinner. What do you say?”

  “Okay. But, Mom. You should have seen it.” He walked back into his room. A few seconds later, he returned. “I got a picture of it with your phone.” Charles handed it to her.

  “He’s huge.” She showed Ero.

  “Good job, buddy.” He held his hand out for a high five.

  The boy smacked it. “Thanks. Gramps said it’s like a twelve-something.”

  “Point,” Ero added. “Yes he is. If not bigger.”

  “Cool.”

  Sarah held her hand out to him. “Come on. Let’s go find something for dinner.”

  “Grandma left elk stew for us. Gramps cut some up for her while he and Uncle Jason cleaned it.”

  “I need to grab the rest of the parts and our things.” He scrubbed Charles’ head. “I’ll be right back.”

  Ero went out to the truck, grabbed the rails, and headed back to their new bedroom. Luc had already stripped the bedding and moved the top mattress. All they had to do was pull apart the frame and get the new bed together.

  “I think we have something we can do with Charles.” He helped heft the box spring off the old bed.

  “Oh?” Luc shifted it and leaned it against the wall.

  “He went hunting today with Jason and Joe.”

  “What did they get?”

  They worked together to take the frame apart. “Elk. There’s soup in the kitchen.”

  “What the hell, asshole?” His brother laughed. “You could have told me there was food.”

  He chuckled. “There’s elk stew.”

  “Miss Claire make it?”

  “Uh-huh.”

  “Let’s get this shit done and grab a bowl, I’m starved. We can grab our stuff later.”

  “You’re on.” They moved the pieces aside and brought the new bed over. “Come on, we can finish this up after we’ve eaten.”

  Luc motioned to the door. “After you.”

  Chapter Nine

  After dinner, Sarah helped the boys get ready for bed. She’d been worried about how to explain Luc and Ero to them, but surprisingly, they took it well. Since she never hid the truth of her and Jason’s wolf-shifter nature, adding in the part about mates seemed a whole lot less difficult. Coming up with a way to say “wolves mate” made her a little uncomfortable, yet they figured it out as they went.

  “So one day we’ll get one of those? A mate?” Dylan listened intently to her while Charles paid more attention to Sam.

  “Yep. It’s how it works.” Luc took her hand. “We just lucked out with your mom and you guys.”

  “So, Uncle Jason has one, too?” Charles finally seemed to engage in the conversation.

  “Yes.”

  “Don’t go putting the cart before the horse.” Jason winked at the boys. “Whoever I find has to accept my nephews and our tooting dog.”

  The boys laughed.

  And then, everything went back to their version of normal. The boys acknowledged it and, not too much later, Sarah tucked them into bed.

  “I’ll see you in the morning.” She kissed Dylan’s forehead. “Sleep well.”

  “Do you really think Ero and Luc like us?”

  She frowned. “Why wouldn’t they?”

  He shrugged. “I don’t know.”

  Sarah sighed. “Everything is changing again. We went from everything you knew back in Maine, to being in a different world down here. If I didn’t think they’d like you and your brother, no way would I even consider this permanent step with them. This is our new life. Our pack. Our home. Our family. You’re loved beyond words, remember that. Always.”

  “Love you, Mom.”

  She kissed his forehead again. “Love you, too.” She switched off the light then stood. “Good night, baby.”

  “Night, Mom.”

  When he rolled over, she went across the hall to Charles’s room. “Hey, baby.”

  “Hey, Mom.” He had her phone in hand, staring at the picture.

  “Best day ever.” He yawned. “I love it here.”

  “Me, too, baby.” S
he eased onto the edge of the bed then brushed her lips over his forehead.

  “I hope Uncle Jason finds his happiness. He’s so lonely. So sad.” A single tear rolled down his cheek.

  “Hey now.” She wiped it away. “He’s happy.”

  Charles shook his head. “No, he’s not. I can feel it. Right here.” He pointed to his chest.

  She pushed his hair from his forehead and sighed. “It’s called empathy, and very special people can share that with someone else.”

  “But you say we should have empathy for those less fortunate for us, and I feel a little sad, but not like this. Is there something wrong with me?”

  She glanced at the tall bookshelf across from where she sat on his bed. “Your superheroes have powers, right?”

  He nodded.

  “Well, some wolves are like superheroes. They have extra abilities. Yours is called being an empath.”

  “Really?”

  “Yep.” She grinned. “It’s not something to be afraid of. Okay?”

  “Okay.”

  “Uncle Jason needs some time, though. He’ll find his happy soon. We just have to be here for him as much as possible and remind him every day he’s the most important person in the world to us.”

  “That’s easy.” He sat up and wrapped his arms around her. “Thanks, Mom.”

  “You’re welcome, baby. I love you so much.”

  He hugged her tight again. “Best day ever, Mom. I love you, too.”

  On the way to her room where Ero and Luc waited for her, she stopped at Jason’s which had been added on when they moved into the home. He sat in an overstuffed leather chair positioned across from his bed. On the small table in front of him, he used his laptop, scrolling through different distilling techniques. Next to his right hand lay a small memo pad and a pen. The word coriander had been circled a few times along with a couple of question marks scribbled below it. “Parts per” numbers had been written on the left-hand side of the page. Her brother had been in full-on creation mode, something she hadn’t seen since he shut down his still. Sarah cleared her throat and knocked on the trim outlining the door.

  Jason glanced up and smiled. “Hey.”

  “I’m going to bed. I wanted to check on you.”

  “I’m fine. We had a good day.” He put his book aside. “Look, I want to apologize for what happened yesterday. It wasn’t fair to you.”

  She waved him off. “You shouldn’t even have to ask for a day away. You’re not their father. I’ve leaned on you for so fucking long.”

  He quirked his brow. “You don’t curse.”

  “I know. That’s how angry I am at myself.”

  He stood and closed the distance between them. “Don’t be.”

  “Did you and Reva meet?”

  “Yes. She’s shy. Timid. She’s got a nasty scar along her side, and shifting….” He shook his head while blowing out a breath. “Magnum fucked her over big time.”

  Sarah frowned. Her heart ached for the girl. “Did you guys do anything?”

  “We had lunch at Dottie’s. We don’t have to go far to find the coriander seeds. So, we’re going to head to Rapid City tomorrow. It’ll do her good to stretch her legs.”

  “Good. Great, even. I’m glad you had fun today. And, Charles is in awe of you.”

  He grinned. “I shifted with Reva and walked her home. Just so happens, Charles and Dad were out hunting. So, I helped them.”

  “He practically fell asleep with my phone in his hands. You are his hero.”

  Jason brushed off her comment. “Well, Dad did all the hard work.”

  “Sure.”

  He spun her around. “Enough stalling. You have mates who are waiting on you.”

  “You sure you’re okay with all of us being here for a few months?” She didn’t want him to feel like he had to move out or anything.

  He nodded.

  “It’s only until the new house is built. Then this house will be yours.”

  “Works for me. Now, go be with your mates.” He shooed her off. “I told Dylan earlier if his arm hurts, to come to me.”

  “Jason.” She let out an exasperated sigh. “You shouldn’t have.”

  “Just because they’re okay with the whole mates’ thing, doesn’t mean they need to see all three of you naked.” He gave her a little shove. “Now go.”

  She glanced back at her brother. “You’ll find someone, too.”

  “Yeah…we’ll see. Night.”

  “Night.”

  Luc waited at the door to her room. He held his hand out to her, and she readily went to him.

  “Sorry.”

  “Don’t apologize.” He guided her into the room and closed the door behind them. “Everyone settled?”

  “Yes. Today was Charles’s best day ever. He wants Jason to fall in love, and he’s an empath. Dylan’s healed and back to his rambunctious self. I think we’re at our normal.” She laughed. “I should have asked this before. Are you guys sure you’re ready for our crazy?”

  “We’re ready.” Ero kissed her.

  “Yep. It’s actually refreshing.” Luc grasped the edge of her shirt and began pulling it out of her pants. “Let’s go to bed.” A sexy little smirk tugged at the corner of his mouth.

  “Oh, I thought I’d be fucking my mates tonight.” She glanced between both of her men.

  “She does curse,” Ero teased her. “Amazing.”

  “It’s actually a turn-on.” Luc ripped her shirt off and growled. “Fucking perfect.”

  “You said that last time, too.”

  “It’s the truth.” He lowered his head and pressed a kiss to her collarbone then dragged his tongue down to the valley between her breasts. “You taste better than I remember.” Giving her a gentle shove, she fell back against the bed they’d made an hour before. “Taste her while I get her naked.”

  Ero crushed his mouth against hers while he released the clasp of her bra, allowing her breasts to spill free. She moaned into his mouth as he teased her, tweaking her nipples. She swore the sparks of pleasure shot straight to her clit. The little bundle of nerves throbbed, and her pussy grew wetter by the second. She needed both of her mates. The sudden intense desire for both, rushed through her. It took her breath away, leaving her light-headed and deliriously drunk with arousal. His mouth replaced his fingers seconds later. He flicked the hard bud then bit down. She grabbed the back of his head, holding him in place as she cried out.

  Luc removed her pants then knelt between her legs. “She remembered. No panties.”

  Ero released her nipple with an audible pop. “You should reward her.”

  “I should, shouldn’t I?” He winked at her.

  The first lap of his tongue sent a jolt of lust through her. The second had her pussy clench with need. The muscles of her belly quivered as pleasure coiled within her. She arched to both of their ministrations, sinking into the sensation of their mouths on her. The wet heat of Luc’s mouth on her sex drove her insane. He forged forward with his tongue, curling it upward against her clit as he retreated. Ero, on the other hand, pinched and pulled on her nipples as he toyed with her. They both brought her to the brink of orgasm several times, yet backed off just as she thought they would give her the release she craved.

  “Mmm, honeyed pears, my favorite.” Luc pressed a kiss to each of her thighs.

  “Not yet, sweetheart.” Ero pressed a kiss to her neck then nipped her, when she arched to him.

  “We want you out of your mind with pleasure.” Luc licked her again. “So fucking creamy.”

  She shivered at his lascivious language. “You’re both killing me here.”

  “Good.” Ero sat up and removed his shirt then his pants. “I want you coming on my cock the minute I get inside you.”

  “Fuck yeah.” Luc removed his jeans then crawled up onto the bed and settled between her legs.

  She trembled below him. Anticipation warred with her nerves. Both men
were intimidating in their own right, but together…she was way out of her element. He lifted her leg and placed it around his hip, before bending his head to kiss her. With the first stroke of his tongue, he entered her. She groaned. Her orgasm ripped through her like a bolt of lightning, the tendrils of it flowed through her body, leaving her a tingling mess.

  “Oh yeah.” He grunted and retreated then filled her again. “You’re a goddam dream, Sarah. You feel so good around me.”

  His thrusts were slow, measured as he gave her what she needed, yet held back. They moved together while Ero sat beside them stroking his impressive length. “Join us.” She held her hand out to him, needing the connection between all three of them.

  “You sure?” He glanced between her and Luc. “Do you understand what you’re asking for?”

  Did she? She supposed she understood in some basic logical way, but to give up everything to the both of them at the same time? She never thought she’d be in this position. “Yes. I need both of my mates.”

  “Fair enough, sweetheart.” He reached into the bedside table and brought out a bottle of lube. “Why don’t you keep her on edge for a bit while I get her ready for me?”

  Luc groaned. “You’re an asshole.”

  “Yeah well, we’ve already established that.”

  The drag of Luc’s cock along her walls pushed her back into the blanket of warmth surrounding them. Then she felt the cool glide of liquid on her rear. She stilled. Her heart pounded. Anxious energy rolled through her as Ero teased her first with the tip of his thumb. The delicious thrill of something forbidden filled her. And, when she relaxed, Luc began to move once more.

  She couldn’t describe what she felt to be taken as she was or how it made her feel, other than achy and out of control. When his finger breeched her rear, she sucked in a breath. A pinch of pain accompanied the burn of being stretched open. Tendrils of bliss rolled through her as they countered their thrusts. When Luc filled her, Ero retreated. It drove her insane. It gave her a freedom she’d never known.

  Then, he added a second and third finger. He opened her. Left her a panting, begging mess. Luc groaned, burying his face in her neck. His nonsensical mutterings only served to turn her on more. “Fucking hurry, asshole. She’s got me in vise. My balls feel like they’re going to explode.”