“No, baby,” Max said as he fought to get himself under control. Shelly’s claiming of him was one of the most emotional and satisfying things he had ever experienced. “We won’t jeopardize the validity of our mating by claiming you before your twenty-first birthday. We’re never going to give anyone any opportunity to take you away from us.”
Shelly released her grip on Eli and licked at the mating mark on his chest. Her wolf preened happily inside of her as she viewed the matching bite marks on Eli’s and Max’s chests.
Mine.
Yes. Ours. Shelly agreed with her wolf.
“Our woman and her wolf are powerful as well as beautiful, Max,” Eli whispered, resting beside Shelly and kissing her right shoulder lightly. He touched the sensitive skin between her shoulder and neck with the tip of his index finger, loving the way Shelly shivered at his touch. “I’m going to claim you here, honey. Every time we make love, I’m going to claim you again. Right here.”
Shelly smiled at him, pressing toward him and loving the feeling of his strong body molding against hers. Max’s body pressing against her left side gave her such a sense of rightness at being in the middle of both of them, she couldn’t help but sigh with pleasure.
“I’m going to claim you here, baby,” Max whispered as he leaned down and bit down on her left shoulder just enough to keep her still. “I’m going to fill you with my seed and bite you. Every wolf will know that you belong to me and Eli. Our scent will be on you, in you, and all around you. No one will ever question who you belong to. You’ll be ours.”
“You’re already mine,” Shelly said firmly. “I hope you’re not mad at me for claiming you. I couldn’t help it. It was something that I needed to do. I needed to make sure that you belong to me.”
“I think I can speak for Max when I say that we’re both pretty damn happy that you’ve claimed us, honey,” Eli said gently.
“You have no idea how happy that makes me,” Shelly whispered as both men eased back and looked down at her. Their eyes had changed back to their human color, making Shelly smile. She loved their wolves. She also loved their human side. It was incredible to her that she already felt such a strong connection to them. She wondered if that was the way of mates.
“I believe it is, honey,” Eli said softly, hearing her thoughts once again. “It’s meant to be for us. We’re a triad that will be blessed with gifts that we can’t even imagine.”
“Four more days,” Max whispered, taking a shaky breath as he tried to calm himself.
Shelly laughed softly. “You guys are pretty determined to wait, huh?”
“If it means that our mating would never be challenged, we’ll wait,” Eli said firmly.
“Do you think it’s a problem that I’ve already claimed both of you?” Shelly asked worriedly as she looked at the claiming marks on each of their chests and traced them slowly with her fingertips. “I couldn’t help myself. My wolf and I needed to mark you as ours.”
“I don’t think you have to worry about it, baby,” Max said honestly. “Eli and I are of age. You’re the one who’s not.”
“Okay. Good.”
“It will be our secret,” Eli added, smiling at the thought. “Max and I will always know that we’re yours.”
“That’s a pretty big secret to share,” Shelly admitted. “I’m glad neither of you are upset by it.”
“I liked that you claimed me, Shelly,” Max said quietly. “You made me come hard.”
Shelly laughed softly. “I know. I felt it when you came. I can smell it, too.” She turned to face Eli and saw the sexy smile that he was giving her. “I liked it. I like sharing something so intimate.”
“Oh, honey, you have no idea how great it felt,” Eli said honestly. “Once you’re twenty-one, we’re going to return the favor.”
“Yeah?”
“Baby, you’re going to be weak from the amount of times Eli and I are going to make you come,” Max promised, leaning down and kissing her lips firmly.
Shelly closed her eyes and surrendered to the feeling of complete joy that she could sense pouring off of Max and Eli. She logically knew that love was a feeling that was too soon for them to experience, but the feeling of caring, protection, and desire was too strong to be denied. She felt her two wolves’ happiness at having her in their lives. It would be an enjoyable journey to get to know both of them and to strengthen the feeling of rightness that she experienced with them. What was most important to her was that she felt as if she had found her best friends.
Max tasted her lips with one last, sweet kiss. He traced the delicate arch of her right eyebrow with the pad of his left thumb. Shelly was such a good and kind woman. In his heart, he had heard her declaration that he and Eli were her best friends and knew a sense of wonder so profound, it made his heart pound within his chest. To know that this woman thought of them as more than just a fated triad mating and more than just a twist of fate, made the connection to her more special. He wanted that relationship of friendship with her. He and Eli had only had each other to trust and talk to for so many years. Both of them wanted the deep friendship that they saw their parents sharing. It was that friendship that had made their days calm, comfortable, and filled with warmth and love.
“Shelly,” he whispered, searching the beauty of her blue eyes and seeing the sparkle of happiness there. “We’re so honored that you’re ours. We want to share our lives with you. We want you as our best friend, too.”
Eli leaned in and kissed Shelly’s temple. “Friendship is the perfect foundation to build love on,” he whispered against Shelly’s ear before leaning back and looking down at their woman. “We’re going to have a lifetime to share everything with each other. I hope you’ll be able to put up with Max’s grouchiness.”
“Hey! I’m not grouchy!” Max protested.
“Yeah, you are,” Eli said, smiling, never looking away from the sweetness of their mate. He saw the way she was trying not to laugh and knew that he had an ally in helping Max to realize that he was a good man who deserved a happy future.
“What about you, Eli?” Shelly asked, biting her bottom lip in an attempt to keep her smile contained. “Are you grouchy?”
“No, he’s just a pain in the ass,” Max mumbled.
“True,” Eli said before Shelly could chastise Max. “But someone has to bug you so you don’t wallow in your darkness.”
Shelly’s heart broke as she looked up at both men and felt the pain and sorrow deep within their souls. Reaching up, she slid her hands around them and pressed against the nape of their necks until they were both resting their heads on each of her shoulders. She caressed their backs slowly, glad to feel them relaxing against her as she held them.
“No more darkness,” she whispered. “No more pain. You both belong to me now. You’re my men—my wolves. We’re going to be best friends and lovers. I’m going to love you with all my heart. I’m going to show you just how wonderful you are and how much I value you. We’re going to have a happy future. This house is going to be our home and we’re going to fill it with love and laughter.”
“And babies,” Eli added quietly.
“If you want to,” Max whispered, worried for the moment that he and Eli were being a little too forceful with their desires.
“And babies,” Shelly said, smiling as she felt the worry within both men. “Allie and Matt are going to be wonderful. So is their little brother or sister.”
Both men hugged Shelly carefully, settling comfortably against her and closing their eyes. For the first time in a very long time, both men offered up a silent prayer to the deity that they had never believed would have anything to do with them. Their prayer was one of thanks that they had found their triad mate and one of hope that their future would be filled with the love, the happiness, and the babies that Shelly had promised them.
Chapter 11
Shelly put away the vacuum cleaner and swept her hands over the thick comforter that covered their bed. She straightened and couldn�
��t help but sigh with complete contentment as she surveyed the master bedroom that she had shared with Max and Eli for the last three nights. The past few days had been the happiest in her life.
Max had proven himself to be the exact opposite of the grouch that Eli had accused him of being. He was kind, caring, filled with worry for Shelly’s well-being, and had a wicked sense of humor. Shelly often sat back and watched as Eli found himself the recipient of Max’s attempts at getting back at his triad partner for always ribbing him.
That morning, Eli had grabbed for his sweatpants to pull on over his black boxer briefs and had shoved his left leg into them, only to find it knotted closed at the bottom. It had been hysterical. Shelly could still picture the shocked look on Eli’s face as he hopped in their bedroom, trying to regain his balance. He hadn’t been successful. Instead, he had landed on his butt with a resounding thud, causing Shelly to bolt from their bed and reach for him in a panic. When she had seen why he had fallen, the laughter that had escaped her had been explosive.
“Having trouble there, Eli?” Max had asked as he leaned over the bed and looked down at his triad partner.
“Max, you’re an ass!” Eli mumbled as he had pulled the offending pant leg from his body and worked to untie the knot.
“Yeah, that’s what I’ve been told,” Max had answered, looking at Shelly and winking. He took great pleasure in the laughter that escaped their beautiful woman.
Shelly couldn’t help but chuckle softly as she remembered that moment. Eli had grumbled and complained, but Shelly could feel his happiness that Max was finally enjoying himself and was at peace. Eli was such a good man. He cared so much about both her and Max. She could sense his worry for their happiness and his deep concern for the way that Max had kept a part of himself distant from both of them.
If Shelly didn’t know better, she would have thought that Eli had his own omega abilities because he often sent out soothing thoughts to both of them. He had such a deep need to take care of all of them. He cared about their physical safety, but he was particularly concerned with their emotional health. He was the one who made sure that they realized the goodness and the rightness of their triad relationship.
It was Eli that brought attention to the depth of their friendship and the goodness of their growing love. Eli was determined that Max open himself up to the reality of what was before him. Shelly often heard him reminding Max to release the negativity of the past and grab onto the beauty of their future. It seemed to Shelly that Max was finally able to relax and allow the hope that this mating was a permanent thing into his heart.
Both men had surprised her that morning with birthday wishes and kisses as she struggled to awaken. It was the best way to wake up. It was even better because it was her twenty-first birthday. The promise of her men claiming her had her looking forward to a wonderful day and an even better night.
She had always thought that when she found herself ready to complete the physical act of a triad mating, she would be nervous and afraid, but she wasn’t. Her relationship with Max and Eli had become such a comfortable one, she was not afraid or embarrassed by the prospect of being naked and making love with them. It was the natural progression of the love that she already had for them.
And it truly was love. Triad relationships progressed quickly in the sense that the attraction was deep and instant, but the way Shelly had gotten to know her men and appreciate their personalities was what made Shelly know that these men were her destiny. She craved their company. She loved their kindness. She valued their sensitivity. She wanted to finalize their mating and begin their lives as a triad.
Walking down the main staircase, she saw her men waiting for her in the living room. They both were nervous. She could feel it in her heart and was concerned. Going to them quickly, she touched their chests and sent them soothing thoughts, glad when they relaxed slightly.
“What’s wrong?” she asked them gently.
“Nothing,” Eli said, smiling. “Max and I just wanted to give you something.”
Shelly felt the caring that both men had for her settle deep within her heart. “You don’t have to give me anything,” she said. “Good morning kisses and happy birthday wishes were all I needed to wake up today to the best birthday of my life.”
Max sighed and leaned down to rest his forehead against Shelly’s. “You’re the most wonderful person we’ve ever met, Shelly,” he said quietly. “What you’ve given us is more that we could have ever hoped for.”
“I haven’t given you anything,” Shelly protested.
“You have, honey,” Eli stopped her. “You’ve given us the gift of your caring. Max and I never thought we would ever find a woman as wonderful as you. We sure didn’t think either of us had led a life that warranted such a gift. We’ve done things that we’re not proud of.”
“Eli,” Shelly said gently, stopping him before he could continue. “I know that Alpha Randall made you do things that were not in your nature. That doesn’t make you bad. You and Max did what you had to do in order to survive and to help your parents survive. But that life is behind you. Jace and Jackson have welcomed you into their pack family. Your parents are welcome here. You can do whatever you want to do and be whatever you want to be. I’ll be with you. I’ll support whatever dreams you want to pursue.”
“We know, baby,” Max said, smiling. “It’s going to take a while for us to let go of that old life, but we’re both determined to be better men. We want you to be happy. We want you to be proud that we’re your mates.”
Shelly’s heart melted at the deeply sincere words. She could feel Max’s and Eli’s guarded hope. She could also feel their shame. But what was foremost in their emotions was their deep caring for her.
“Let me tell you something,” she said quietly. “I need you both to listen to me very carefully.”
She took Eli’s right hand and Max’s left and led them over to the couch, sitting down and tugging on their hands to get them to sit down on either side of her. She leaned into Max’s neck and breathed in deeply before kissing it lightly. Turning, she did the same to Eli, laughing softly when she felt them wrap their arms around her, hug her, and kiss her temples lightly. She could feel their instant happiness and contentment and silently vowed to herself that she would always provide those feelings for her two wolves.
“I understand that you’ve been living in a pack that doesn’t find value in you,” Shelly began gently. “I also understand that you’ve had to do what Randall ordered you to do as his enforcers.” She tugged on their hands and squeezed them tightly. “I also know that you’ve taken more beatings that you’ve told me about in order to protect the pack members who have been treated cruelly by Randall. You’re good, honorable men who have done what you could to make others suffer a little less because of you. Don’t think you weren’t appreciated by them. I know that you were. The prayers of their souls have merged with yours when they sent you their thanks.”
Max and Eli looked at each other in shock. How was that possible?
“When prayers were offered up in thanks for you being in their lives and protecting them, a blessing settled within your souls,” Shelly explained. “Your souls are filled with those blessings.”
“They can’t be,” Max said, shaking his head. “We haven’t helped that many people.”
“You’re wrong, Max,” Shelly said, stopping him. “If you need me to prove it, I’ll search each blessing and whisper the prayer that was offered up to the heavens for you and Eli.” When both men remained silent, Shelly closed her eyes and pressed her omega abilities deep inside the beauty of the blessings within Max’s and Eli’s souls. “There is a prayer offered to Mother Fate to bless you and thank you for bringing food and firewood to this woman’s home.”
Max gasped, remembering the many times he and Eli had brought those things to Caitlyn as she scraped to get buy. “Caitlyn,” he whispered, seeing Eli nodding his head in agreement as they remembered the incredibly kind woman.
“There is a prayer offered to grant you peace and happiness by a young boy who you helped escape a beating,” Shelly continued. “His mother and his sister also have asked the Fates to bless you for the suffering you experienced because you protected the three of them when they were shunned by the pack and abused because of their differences.”
Eli closed his eyes as pain filled him. He remembered how Suzie and Mitchell Robinson had suffered because their fathers had dared to love their mother and form a triad.
“There is a prayer offered up by a little girl who wanted to marry you, Max,” Shelly told them, laughing softly. “She told the Fates that you helped her run fast when the other cubs laughed at her because she wasn’t strong.”
“Sweet little Catherine,” Max said, smiling softly at the mention of the little girl.
Shelly reached out and touched Eli’s hand, tears making her blue eyes glisten as she looked at him. “There is a prayer offered up for you by a woman who said that you held her and her baby after she delivered her little boy.”
Eli remembered. It was such a sad memory.
“She said your kindness helped her to heal after her son died.”
“He was so little,” Eli whispered. “He was born too early and couldn’t survive.”
Shelly nodded, looking at both men and knowing how much they cared about the people that they protected. How could they not think they were worthy mates?
“Do you believe that your souls are filled with these blessings?” she asked them gently.
Both men nodded, overwhelmed.
“Never underestimate your worth,” Shelly told them firmly. “You’ve touched so many lives and have helped so many people. Your goodness is recognized and appreciated.”
She waited until she felt the stirrings of their acceptance. She was determined to make them know just how much their presence in the lives of others had truly made a difference.
Shelly's Forbidden Mates [Beckett's Wolf Pack, Triad Mates 6] (Siren Publishing Ménage and More) Page 12
