Susannah's Saviors [Beckett's Wolf Pack, Triad Mates 3] (Siren Publishing Ménage and More)

by Lynnette Bernard

  Nikki’s soothing presence had calmed her patient, and Nikki was able to find out that the young woman’s name was Abbey. She was a guarded woman with many secrets that Jace was certain would affect his pack. The most important fact, the fact that superseded any other, was that Abbey was the triad mate to Hunter and Clay. As such, she was now a member of his pack and under his protection.

  “Alpha, this is Abbey,” Hunter introduced the woman, his brown eyes softening as he looked down at her.

  “Hunter and I ask for asylum for her within our pack,” Clay formally requested, his light blue eyes never wavering from Jace’s.

  Jace took a step forward, halting immediately as Abbey stepped back and leaned against Clay and Hunter as they stood behind her. He looked toward Laurie in concern.

  Laurie stepped forward and took Jace’s hand in hers as she sensed the anger that filled him because of the fear that flashed in Abbey’s blue eyes.

  She’s afraid of you, Jace. Laurie’s voice spoke softly in his mind.

  I see that. This is not acceptable.

  Hunter told me she was running from someone, Jace. Jackson’s soothing voice entered the alpha mates’ minds. She doesn’t have any reason to trust us.

  “Hi, Abbey,” Laurie told the woman gently. “My name is Laurie. These are my mates Jace and Jackson. They would never hurt you, honey. They will do all that they can to protect you.”

  “All of us will, Abbey,” Nikki promised, holding her men’s hands against her chest as they embraced her. When they covered her belly tenderly with their free hands and rubbed it lovingly, she couldn’t help but smile up at them as they sent love through their link to both her and the babies she was carrying.

  Abbey nodded silently, moving forward one step toward Jace. She offered him her right hand, determined to control her fear as he reached out and took it to shake it in greeting. His large hand swallowed hers, and although his handshake was firm, it was also gentle.

  “Nice to meet you, Jace,” she told him, quickly pulling her hand from his, stepping back, and relaxing as soon as her back connected with the warm bodies of the men she had come to trust and feel comfortable around.

  So much had happened to her in the past week. Hunter and Clay had claimed her as theirs, and she admitted to herself that she liked feeling as if she belonged to them. She had never felt the need to belong to anyone until she had met these two men. Despite her fear and mistrust of the members of this pack family, Hunter and Clay had told her that their alpha would accept her into their pack and protect her from the demons that chased her. She would reserve judgment on that. All that mattered was that she was with the two men who stood beside her.

  “You now have a home here with us, Abbey,” Jace told her, his deep voice firm. Not only was he not about to allow this young woman’s safety to be jeopardized, he was also determined to help his pack mates to keep their destined triad mate on pack land.

  “Thank you,” Abbey acknowledged, smiling slightly.

  “You are welcome to stay here at the family lodge,” Jace offered, smiling at Jackson when he heard the soft growls emanating from Hunter and Clay.

  “Alpha, Abbey will be permanently staying with us at our home,” Clay spoke up, looking down at Abbey and waiting until she looked up at him before winking at her.

  “And just what makes you think you can assume I want to stay with you permanently, Mr. Forest?” she asked him, crossing her arms across her chest as she faced him defiantly. “We haven’t settled anything yet.”

  Clay’s growl of need was not lost on her. She was confused at first before she realized that Clay was looking at the top button of her blouse that had popped open at her movement, revealing the tops of her breasts to his gaze. She turned to face Hunter and saw that his gaze was drawn to her open blouse as well. She sighed in frustration and reached up to take hold of the button with the intention of closing it when Hunter’s hand covered hers.

  “No need to close that up, beautiful,” he told her softly. The pad of his thumb made a gentle arc across the full swell of her left breast as he spoke.

  Abbey’s breath caught in her throat. Hunter’s touch was like fire on her body. She felt as if she might spontaneously combust from the desire that immediately slammed through her.

  Stepping out of Hunter’s reach, her back connected with Clay’s body. This was not helping. The time she had already spent with them had already made them a solid presence in her life. And it scared her.

  “Abbey, wherever you decide you’d like to stay is fine,” Laurie encouraged her. “It’s your choice, honey, and we’ll all make sure your decision is the one that we’ll follow.”

  Laurie looked pointedly at Hunter and Clay, daring them to disagree with her. Both men looked down at the woman they were obviously mated to before looking back at her and nodding silently, lowering their heads in deference to her authority within the pack.

  Abbey watched the way the men deferred to Laurie and was impressed. Not only were they giving her respect, they were giving her power. Something in her settled at that realization. She didn’t understand the hierarchy of this family, but she already liked what she saw and was calmed by the caring and concern that everyone in the kitchen had for her. It was an unusual feeling—one that she was not used to.

  The sliding glass door that led to the back deck was pushed open, and a young woman with blonde hair with white streaks in it rushed inside, drawing everyone’s attention. The woman froze in place for just a moment, her eyes wild as she looked around the room.

  “Is something wrong, Suzie?” Jace asked her immediately, stepping toward her to offer his aid. When Suzie lifted her hands to stop him from getting closer, he hesitated. “What happened?”

  “Nothing happened,” Suzie assured him. “I just don’t want any of you to come any closer to me right now.” She looked around the room quickly, seeing the confusion that she was causing. “Is Martha here?”

  “She’s in the living room,” Laurie told her, worried when she could feel the panic rolling off of Suzie.

  Jace and Jackson had told her that because she was part of the Alpha Triad, she would be in tune with the feelings of the pack members, but she hadn’t realized just how clear those feelings would be. She stepped forward and offered her hand, glad when Suzie grabbed for it without hesitation and squeezed it lightly.

  “Come on, Suzie, I’ll take you to her,” Laurie offered, glad when she saw the way Suzie relaxed slightly at her words.

  “Thanks, Laurie,” Suzie whispered.

  Laurie nodded and walked toward the living room, feeling Suzie moving closer to her as she walked beside her. “Are you okay, Suzie?” she asked her quietly.

  “I need to talk to Martha,” Suzie told her, careful to keep her voice low so they wouldn’t be overheard. “I think I might be pregnant.”

  “That’s wonderful!” Laurie told her, stopping to turn and embrace her. She leaned back and looked at Suzie in confusion. “Why do you have to talk to Martha?”

  “Because I think she’ll be able to tell me if my scent has changed. I can smell a difference. It makes me calm and happy. I want to make sure. Drew told me Martha has been the one who has helped all the women of the pack when they became pregnant.”

  Laurie smiled. Being pregnant herself, she totally understood Suzie’s need to be sure. “She’s also the one who makes sure all the newly mated triads take care of the physical toll a mating takes on the woman’s body.” Laurie blushed slightly, remembering how that very care of her had taken place.

  Suzie smiled and nodded. “I left Drew at home and have shielded my thoughts from him and Carter until I know for sure. I want to be able to tell them in my own way. If they get close to me, I’m sure they’re going to be able to scent the baby.”

  “Good call,” Laurie told her. “Come on. Let’s get to Martha. I know she’ll keep your secret until you’re ready to share it.”

  She led Suzie into the living room, stopping at the doorway and looking ar
ound, motioning to Martha when she saw her standing in front of the fireplace with her husbands. Martha came to them immediately.

  “What’s wrong?” Martha asked them, her voice low as she saw the seriousness in their expressions.

  “Martha, do I smell like I’m pregnant?” Suzie whispered softly, leaning toward the older woman.

  Martha leaned in and breathed in deeply as she nuzzled against Suzie’s shoulder. She leaned back and looked at the young woman, smiling widely. “You sure do, Suzie,” she told her happily. “Congratulations, Mommy.”

  “Oh. My. Goodness.” Suzie’s stunned voice was stilted as the shock of the revelation hit home. She looked at Laurie, her eyes suspiciously moist. “I’m pregnant.”

  Laurie smiled as she saw the happiness that filled Suzie. She reached out and embraced her gently. “Welcome to motherhood,” she told her softly. “Drew and Carter are going to be so happy.”

  Suzie stepped back when Laurie released her from her embrace. “I don’t want them to come anywhere near me until I can tell them,” she told her adamantly.

  Suzie, where are you, baby? Carter and I are home, and we can’t find you.

  Drew’s voice filled her mind, and Suzie knew a moment of panic as she made sure to strengthen the shield around her thoughts and emotions to keep them from her mates. She looked at Laurie and Martha as anxiety filled her. She wanted to make the revelation of her pregnancy special.

  What’s wrong, baby? I can feel your heart racing. Where are you?

  Carter’s deep voice was filled with panic. Suzie saw the flash of the memory that filled Carter and knew a moment of deep sorrow as the scene of her being tortured and taken away from her mates by Alpha Randall was so real in all of their minds.

  I’m at the main lodge with Martha and Laurie. I’m fine.

  She did her best to reassure them. She couldn’t allow them to come to her. She knew they would be able to scent her pregnancy if they did.

  We’re on our way to the lodge. Drew’s determined words came to her without hesitation.

  No. I’m fine. Don’t come here. Suzie couldn’t prevent the surge of panic from bubbling up and bleeding into her thoughts.

  Absolutely not, Susannah. Something is wrong. We’re coming to you right now.

  Carter’s anger filled her mind, but she knew he wasn’t really angry. He was scared. Because she was able to see his thoughts and his fears, she couldn’t fault him for feeling what he was feeling. She wanted to reassure him, but she couldn’t just yet.

  Carter, Drew, I really am all right. Please don’t worry. I just need a little space for now.

  The men didn’t respond. Suzie just knew they were on their way to the family lodge. She didn’t have much time to figure out how she was going to get out of the way of the determination that was her mates.

  “Drew and Carter are coming here,” she told them quickly. “Help me. I don’t want them to know yet.”

  “What can we do, Martha?” Laurie asked, Suzie’s panic making her own heart race.

  “We can mask her scent with our own,” Martha offered.

  Laurie grabbed Suzie and rubbed her face against Suzie’s cheek, bestowing her scent without a moment’s pause. Martha did the same.

  “What’s wrong,” Grant asked as he and Silas walked toward Martha.

  Martha looked at her mates and smiled, seeing how both men’s eyes flashed golden as they scented Suzie’s pregnancy. Both men looked at their mate and growled.

  “I miss you smelling like that, baby,” Silas told Martha softly, leaning in to kiss her lips lightly.

  “Me, too,” Grant agreed, biting down lightly on Martha’s neck. “You were so beautiful when you were filled with our cubs.”

  Silas turned to face Suzie and reached out to touch her cheek lightly. “You have given your mates a wonderful gift, Suzie.”

  Suzie closed her eyes and accepted his tender touch, feeling as if her father was there with her right then. She had absolutely adored her father and missed him every day. He was the most kind and loving man, and he showed her and Mitchell how much they meant to him every day of his life. When Silas embraced her and hugged her gently, she leaned into him and gave in to her feelings and memories of her dad.

  Grant waited until Silas finished his hug then reached out and opened his arms to Suzie. She went to him immediately, accepting his warm embrace happily.

  “I wish you a healthy and happy pregnancy, Susannah,” he told her as he kissed her temple lightly. “Just remember to allow your men to spoil you and take care of you. Don’t lose patience with them when they become overprotective.”

  Suzie laughed and hugged Grant tightly. “I can just imagine,” she told him, leaning against him as she accepted his love.

  The growls coming from the kitchen drew all of their attentions toward the doorway. Suzie just knew her men had arrived and were nearly out of control with the need to see her.

  “Please help me,” she whispered, looking up at Grant in a panic. “I don’t want them to scent my pregnancy yet.”

  “Why not?” Silas asked, not happy that Suzie was trying to hide such a wonderful thing. “Your men deserve to know this.”

  “I want to tell them in my own way,” Suzie tried to explain. “Please, I’m not trying to hide anything. I’m just trying to make it special for us.”

  “I don’t like this, Susannah,” Silas told her, his voice cautionary.

  “Suzie!” Carter’s angry voice reached them.

  Suzie jumped and turned to face the open archway that led to the kitchen. She latched onto Grant’s hand and squeezed it as her nerves began to make her tremble. She wanted everything to be so special for her men. She just hoped she could do what she had planned in order to share with them the most wonderful news of her pregnancy without them feeling isolated or betrayed by what she had to do.

  “Will you help me mask my scent?” she asked the four adults who stood by her side. “I promise it’s okay. Well, it will be okay after I explain it to Drew and Carter.”

  Both men looked at their mate for guidance. When Martha nodded at them, they leaned forward and rubbed their cheeks against the top of Suzie’s head to cover her in their scent. They stepped away, and Martha and Laurie stepped forward and hugged her, quickly rubbing their cheeks against hers once again.

  “I don’t know if our scents will completely mask your pregnancy, Suzie, but they will certainly drive Drew’s and Carter’s wolves crazy that you’re covered with scents that are not theirs,” Martha warned her.

  Suzie knew she was taking a chance on keeping this from her men in this fashion, but she wanted to surprise them in a very special way. Hopefully, they would forgive her when they found out why she was keeping them at a distance.

  When she walked into the kitchen, Drew and Carter were standing beside Jace and Jackson. Hunter and Clay were still there with a woman Suzie didn’t recognize, as were Nikki, Alexander, and Butler.

  “Suzie, what’s wrong?” Drew asked, walking toward her.

  “Stay where you are, Drew,” she told him firmly, wincing as she saw the hurt that filled his soft, hazel eyes that had only looked at her with complete love and need. “I need you and Carter to go home and wait for me there.”

  “We are not leaving without you, Suzie,” Carter told her, stepping toward her.

  Suzie took a step back, successfully putting herself behind Silas and Grant. They stood solidly before her, and she knew they would do as she had asked them and prevent her mates from catching her scent before she was ready for them to.

  “What are you doing?” Carter asked her angrily. He took a deep breath to try and settle himself, but that only made things worse when he realized that Suzie was covered in the scents of other men. “Why the hell do you smell like Silas and Grant?” he demanded, his wolf coming forward and clawing at his chest to shift and take their mate home.

  “Jace, Jackson, Suzie has requested that Drew and Carter not come near her right now,” Laurie spoke up qui
etly.

  I’ll explain later.

  She sent the message with soothing feelings and love to her mates, relieved when they accepted her request without question. Jace took hold of Carter’s forearm while Jackson took hold of Drew’s. Suzie’s mates struggled against their hold, their growls of fury filling the kitchen.

  Alexander and Butler stepped forward, flanking Drew and Carter and reaching out to restrain the men. At that point, all hell broke loose. Drew’s eyes turned completely golden as his wolf fought to be free. Carter was continuously growling, his anger and frustration causing his wolf to surface. His blue eyes had completely changed to the golden glow of his wolf, and Suzie knew that his shift was imminent. Both men were fighting against the men who were holding them away from her, but their strength was no match for the combined strengths of Alexander, Butler, Jace, and Jackson.

  “Don’t let them hurt her,” Abbey cried out, trying to step forward to protect Suzie.

  Hunter and Clay reached out and pulled her back into their arms before she could put herself in harm’s way. They knew that neither Drew nor Carter would ever hurt Suzie, but they also knew that a wolf would fight to the death to get to their mate.

  “No, Abbey, don’t,” Hunter told her gently. “Drew and Carter will not hurt Suzie, but they will perceive you as a threat if you step between them and their mate.”

  “You don’t understand,” Abbey told him, her voice filled with anguish. “I can’t let them hurt her.”

  “Abbey, honey,” Clay called to her as he tried to calm her. “We’ll explain it to you when we get you to our home. Suzie is not in any danger.”

  As the woman they had called Suzie stepped from between the men named Silas and Grant and stood before the struggling men, Abbey felt panic rushing through her. She had to do something to help.