I’ve already spoken to them about that, sweetheart. They know they have to wait for her to finish school. They also know that she must choose them. Don’t worry.
Our mate will always worry. Jackson’s soothing voice caressed Laurie’s mind. But don’t worry too much, darlin’. Our baby needs you to stay calm.
I am calm. Both of you are the ones who worry too much.
Laurie smiled as she heard Jace’s grunt and Jackson’s agreeing growl.
I think you two need some loving to calm you down.
The vision of her two men lying naked with her in their bed made her nearly stumble. Mia reached out and held her arm gently to steady her.
“You okay, Mom?”
“Yes, I’m fine,” Laurie told her quickly. “I have two mates who are trying to fluster me.” And they better behave or I won’t be giving them any loving today, Laurie warned both her mates with just the right amount of seriousness in her tone.
Oh, darlin’, you know you can’t resist us. Jackson’s words made her smile.
You have nothing to say, Jace? Laurie asked him when he remained silent.
I’m not saying a word, Mate. We’ll see how you’ll be able to keep from loving us when we have you between us.
The soft growl that punctuated his statement sent a rush of need through Laurie. She looked at Nikki and knew her face had to be flushed when Nikki’s eyebrows rose in question.
“You okay, Laurie?” she asked her, stopping to face her best friend. “You’re a little flushed. Do you want to sit down and rest?”
“What’s wrong, my Alpha?” Alex asked her, stepping forward and facing her silently. “Are you ill?”
“I’m fine,” she told them, sighing deeply. See what you’ve started, Mates?
Both men’s soft laughter filled her mind. Despite her annoyance, she couldn’t prevent the happiness that filled her. Since she had come to the Circle Three Ranch, her life had changed in ways she could never have imagined. She had two wonderful men who were her fated mates and who loved her without hesitation. Her children were safe and happy. And she had a new extended family who gave her such support and joy. She had never felt so peaceful and content in her life.
The baby she was carrying was a small miracle. Knowing that the triad matings gave each baby two biological fathers since the men together contributed the DNA needed to join with the mother’s DNA was a great relief. Laurie felt such a sense of peace and happiness knowing that both of her men would love the child they had created. She covered her belly protectively, nearly overwhelmed with the feelings of love she felt for the baby inside of her.
Have I told you today how much I love you, Mates? Do you know how happy I am that we’re going to have a baby?
The immediate warmth of love that both men sent to her through their mating link filled her with happiness. They sent her a vision of how they were going to hold her between them when she got home. Knowing that they enjoyed the quiet times with her was just as important as the physical act of making love with them.
But we can make love, too.
Jackson’s voice interrupted her sweet thoughts. Jace’s immediate growl let her know that both her men wanted her. It was a nice feeling to be wanted—and loved.
“Mommy, can we have something to eat?”
Eric’s little voice interrupted all of them. Laurie looked at the adorable youngster, and her maternal instincts kicked in big time.
I was thinking about what you said about having another baby after our daughter is born. Her voice was hesitant and soft as she spoke to her mates.
What do you think about that, honey?
Jace’s happy voice sent a warmth through her. Boy, she was putty in either of her mates’ hands.
I think I would like that.
We can have as many cubs as you want, darlin’, Jackson told her immediately.
I’m glad you’re thinking about having a large family with us, honey.
Jace’s deep voice resonated through her body, filling her with such a sense of belonging it nearly scared her.
I was just thinking it would be nice to have a little boy that looks like both of you. Her voice was soft as the thought of having children with Jace and Jackson filled her heart.
After our daughter is born, we’ll make sure you’re okay, Jace’s commanding voice told her immediately. Once Doc tells us it’s safe, we can have another child.
Jackson, is that okay with you?
Baby, the thought of having more children with you makes me happy, Jackson told her softly, reaching out to her through their mating link to surround her with his love.
“Are you hungry, cub?” Wade’s deep voice asked Eric as the little boy held tightly onto his mother’s hand.
Eric peeked around Meeka’s legs and looked up at him quietly. He nodded slowly as he took in the large man’s appearance. The man named Wade made him feel safe. So did the man named Reece. It was a very good feeling. He liked it.
“I’ll get you something once we finish in this store, Eric,” Meeka told him quietly. “I have enough money to buy you some lunch.”
“We will make sure you have enough to eat, Meeka,” Reece spoke up, his voice raspy but firm. He transferred the two bags from one hand to the other, reaching out to the small boy. “Come here, cub.”
Eric went to him without hesitation, opening his arms and waiting patiently while Reece bent down to lift him into his arms. He settled comfortably within his embrace and leaned forward to touch Reece’s face lightly.
“I like to be up so high,” Eric told him happily.
The corner of Reece’s mouth quirked just slightly. This child got to him. He didn’t understand how he could enjoy him so much. As Meeka stepped closer to them, he inhaled her sweet scent, and he knew. Just as Meeka was theirs, so was Eric. He looked at Wade, his expression holding the panic he was feeling.
“You will not use your money to purchase lunch, Meeka,” Wade spoke up as he saw her about to argue.
“You’ve done enough for me today, Wade,” she told him firmly.
“We haven’t done nearly enough,” Reece spoke up. “You refused most of the purchases we wanted to make for you and Eric.”
“We have enough,” Meeka insisted. “We don’t need any more clothing.”
Wade looked down at her and shook his head slowly. “You are a proud woman,” he told her softly. “Please allow us to give you what you need. It is our duty.”
Meeka stepped closer to Reece and reached out to pull her son into her arms. “It’s not your duty. You owe me nothing,” she told them both, turning away from them and walking toward Suzie as she stood beside her brother Mitchell.
Wade watched her put distance between them. He looked at his triad partner and shook his head slowly. “She’s right,” he told Reece quietly. “We have no claim on her or on her son.”
Reece nodded. “That’s as it should be,” he added softly so only his triad partner could hear him.
“Suzie, do you want to shop anywhere else?” Mitchell asked his sister as he walked alongside of her, carrying two bags of purchases that Suzie allowed him to buy for her with the money Drew and Carter had given him with the instruction that he ignore his sister’s protests and buy what she needed. Both men knew Suzie would balk at using their money, so he had been given the responsibility of breaking through his sister’s stubbornness and purchasing everything she needed whether she wanted to admit to her need or not.
“I just have one more store I want to go into,” Suzie told him quietly.
Every one of them turned to face her. She immediately blushed in embarrassment. Laurie stepped forward and took Suzie into her embrace.
“Where do you want to go, Suzie?” she whispered.
“Laurie, I want to go into the baby store, but I don’t want everyone to go with me,” she whispered, wanting to keep this part of her day to herself.
“Do you just want the women to go with you?” Laurie asked her as she pulled back slightly so she
could look at the expression on Suzie’s face.
“Yes, please,” Suzie whispered.
Laurie nodded then stepped to the side in order to face their small army. “All of you men can stay by the fountain while we women go into the store over there,” she told them, pointing to the large store that carried maternity clothing and baby supplies. She saw the men look at the store and smile, each understanding that the women needed their privacy to shop in that particular store.
“My Alpha,” Butler spoke up, stepping forward to stand before Laurie, lowering his head in respect. “The last time we left you alone to shop, it did not end well. With all due respect, Alex and I cannot allow it.”
“Hold it, buddy,” Nikki spoke up, tugging on Butler’s hand as he held hers tightly. “You cannot allow it? Are you kidding me?”
“Sweetness, we cannot risk the safety of our women. We especially cannot risk the safety of Laurie and her cub or of you and our cubs,” he told her, reaching out to gently cover her stomach with his large hand.
All fight left Nikki immediately. When Alex came to stand beside Butler and reached out to touch her face tenderly, she could think of nothing except how much she loved these men and their babies that were so new growing inside of her.
“How about if we compromise?” Dean suggested. “How about if Mitchell and I go into the store with them?”
“That is acceptable as long as Butler and I go in as well,” Alex amended.
Laurie looked at Suzie and waited for her decision. “It’s up to you, Suzie. Are you comfortable with having Dean, Mitchell, Alex, and Butler with us in the store?”
The low growls coming from Lucian and Cole, as well as from Reece and Wade, were growing louder by the second. Suzie could tell that the men were not happy with the thought of being separated from their intended mates. Only Brett and Nathaniel remained calm as they stood with the group of men. Suzie knew it was only because they hadn’t found their mate yet that they felt no anger or anxiety.
“Brett and Nathaniel will remain outside the store, standing guard at the entrance,” Alex told them. He and Butler had the authority as the leaders of the pack enforcers to overrule any decision a pack member made that might jeopardize their safety or the safety of its members. “The rest of us will go into the store with you. This is not a matter that will be argued, Susannah. It is for the protection of all of our women.”
“If all of you are staying with the women, Mitchell and I have another store we want to go into,” Dean spoke up.
Mitchell looked at Dean in surprise. He didn’t speak. He would never question his newfound triad partner in front of everyone else. He already knew Dean well enough to know that he would tell him what he was thinking in his own time.
“Okay,” Suzie agreed softly, sighing tiredly. “Mitchell, you and Dean should go wherever you want to go. Just meet us here in about an hour.”
“Thanks, Suzie,” Mitchell told her, pulling on the end of her long, blonde hair as he smiled down on his sister. “We’ll be back here on time.”
He turned to face Dean and raised his eyebrows in question. It would be up to Dean to lead the way because Mitchell had no idea where they were going or what they were shopping for.
“We’ll be back in an hour, Mom,” Dean told his mother. “Please don’t try to get away from Alex and Butler.”
“Dean, you are not too big to be punished, little boy,” Laurie warned her son.
Dean just laughed and kissed his mother’s forehead. “Okay, Mom. Whatever you say. Just stay safe, please. Mia, you keep an eye on her, too,” he told his sister, nodding toward their mother.
Mia just smiled. No one was going to get to their mother unless they went through her. She felt Luc and Cole stepping closer to her, the heat of their bodies permeating through her T-shirt as they lightly touched her back. She knew they would be there to protect her mother. And she knew they would protect her.
As much as she valued her freedom and her ability to care for her mother, her brother, and herself, she couldn’t deny the feeling of warmth and safety their presence and support gave her. She was going to have to do some serious thinking about the whole mating situation with them. Maybe she could think about possibly accepting their attention and their interest in dating her. She mentally shook herself. Getting soft, Mia! Her thoughts were really starting to scare her.
Laurie looked at her son and daughter with open love in her eyes. She counted her blessings that her children cared so deeply about her. The feeling was definitely mutual.
“I promise I will stay in full sight of the men. Nikki and I will be safe.” Laurie looked at her best friend and smiled as she saw the way Nikki rolled her eyes.
“Don’t even try to go all protective on me,” Nikki told Alex and Butler in warning as she heard their growls. Both men smiled and reached out for her, pulling her in their arms and kissing her lips lightly. “You both are totally messing with my anger,” she muttered.
“Sweetness, we don’t want you angry,” Butler told her softly. “We want you safe.”
“Love you, baby,” Alex whispered against her temple, kissing it lightly.
Nikki leaned back and looked up at the two men who had changed her life. They had given her such happiness. There was no way she could ever deny their needs. And if their needs included protecting her and loving her—she was all for it.
“Love you,” she whispered, settling between the two men and resting against their chests as they hugged her tightly.
“Okay, then. Let’s get moving,” Suzie spoke up. “But just to be sure that we all have an understanding, I don’t want any of the men to get in the way of what we want to look at or try on. And I most certainly do not want anyone telling my mates what I may purchase. Am I clear on this?” Suzie’s voice held definite authority of her own. She would not risk her mates knowing what she wanted to buy as a surprise for them.
“Understood,” Alex agreed without hesitation.
Suzie nodded, satisfied that the men would keep her confidence. She turned to head into the store, knowing that the others would follow. She wanted to buy something special as a way of telling her mates that she was carrying their baby—if she was ever lucky enough to find herself carrying their baby. Some may think that it would be bad luck to purchase something for a baby that she didn’t even know if she would ever have, but she didn’t. She wanted to be ready to surprise Carter and Drew as soon as she realized she was pregnant. The men’s sense of smell would alert them to the change in her body almost immediately, and she couldn’t take the chance that they would know before she had a chance to tell them in her own way.
Happiness filled her at her thoughts, and she couldn’t help but smile as she entered the store. Her heart was light, and she felt hopeful that she would be holding a baby in her arms very soon.
I can sense your happiness, Suzie Q.
Carter’s voice filled her mind, and she could hear his own happiness.
Where are you, baby? Drew’s gentle voice interrupted her thoughts.
Never mind. I need you both to stay out of my head for the next two hours. She was firm as she told them. She didn’t want her surprise ruined.
Why for the next two hours? Carter’s voice grew concerned. What are you doing?
I’m not talking to either one of you right now. Go away.
Susannah. Carter’s irritation was evident in his tone.
I’m not listening to you. La, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la.
Suzie actually put her fingers in her ears and sang the same note over and over again in her mind.
Suzie! Stop that at once! We need to make sure you’re safe!
Carter’s reprimand made her stop her singing.
Oh, my goodness, Carter! How could I not be safe? I have a freaking militia with me!
Drew’s laughter made her smile.
I’m fine. I’m safe. And I need some alone time. Okay?
Suzie’s voice was soft as she asked for her mates’ understanding
. She needed the privacy. She wanted to shop and find something special for her men without them eavesdropping and ruining something she hoped she could surprise them with very soon.
I think you deserve a spanking when you get home, Mate.
Carter’s voice was calm and held the promise of discipline. Suzie wasn’t sure she liked his tone even if the thrill of his dominance made her happy.
All right, baby. We’ll give you your privacy, Drew accepted her request gallantly.
Please don’t shut us out completely.
Carter’s words showed her that he still harbored the fear of losing her, and she knew she could never fault him for his overprotectiveness. If she were honest with herself, she felt the same way about them.
“So where’re we going, Dean?” Mitchell asked his friend as they walked away from the store where his sister and the rest of the members of the pack were shopping.
“I saw something in a window display that I want to get,” Dean told him quietly, all lightness and humor gone from his voice. “I hope I have enough money to get it. My funds are kind of limited until I get to college and begin my work-study job.”
Dean’s long strides ate up the distance to the small jewelry store at the far end of the mall. Mitchell matched his pace and remained silent as Dean stopped in front of the high window that displayed a multitude of necklaces over a brilliant, blue velour material. The royal color made the gold of the necklaces look even richer.
“You want to buy a necklace?” Mitchell asked, confused.
Dean nodded and pointed to the necklace on the raised display platform to the far right of the window. “I want to get that one,” he told him softly.
Mitchell looked at the necklace and smiled slowly. It was a beautiful garnet heart on a gold chain. The deep red of the stone was rich in color and made Mitchell think about how beautiful it would look against Janey’s tanned skin. It would also compliment her blonde hair beautifully. The necklace called to him as well.
“You feel the pull, too, don’t you?” he asked Dean quietly.
Dean turned to his friend with confusion on his face. “I do feel it, Mitch, but I don’t understand it. Can you explain it to me?”
Susannah's Saviors [Beckett's Wolf Pack, Triad Mates 3] (Siren Publishing Ménage and More) Page 27
