“Our third would help him heal faster?” Mitchell asked, stepping forward and reaching out to touch Drew’s shoulder.
“Yes,” Drew answered without hesitation. “For now, I would suggest you bite him one more time before all of you leave for the night.”
“Can we see him?” Laurie asked softly.
“He’s a little woozy from the anesthesia,” Drew told them. “It would be fine if you go on in and see him. Just don’t stay long. The thing that will help him the most is for him to get some sleep and allow the healing properties in his system to work.”
Drew stepped aside and allowed Laurie to pass by him to head into the recovery room. Mia, Jace, and Jackson followed. Mitchell was the last to enter.
Janey hung back, waiting until all of them walked away before slipping into the room and standing against the back wall, disappearing in the shadows. She watched silently, her heart racing as she saw Dean lying so quiet and still before them.
Dean looked pale against the white sheets. His left arm and shoulder were covered in bandages. His eyes were closed, but his breathing was even and strong.
Laurie reached out and touched her son’s dark hair lightly, brushing it gently off his forehead. Leaning forward, she kissed his temple tenderly, murmuring words of love.
“You doing okay, Dean?” Laurie called to her son quietly.
“I’m not a fan of claws, Mom,” he answered her weakly.
Laurie laughed softly against his temple. Leave it to Dean to make them laugh during such a tense moment.
Mia leaned over and hugged her brother gently. “Come on, brat,” she whispered against his temple. “Get better quickly.”
Dean smiled and touched her hand weakly. “Always so bossy,” he told her, his voice soft. “Go away.”
Mia laughed, sniffing away the tears that were threatening to fall. “He’ll be fine,” she told everyone. “Look what a pain he’s being.”
“Love you, baby boy,” Laurie spoke lovingly against Dean’s cheek. “Get some rest. We’ll be back in the morning.”
“Okay, Mom,” Dean spoke softly. “Where’s Jace and Jackson?”
“We’re here,” Jace told him. He and Jackson stepped forward and touched Dean’s hand lightly.
“What happened to Randall?” Dean asked.
“He lost the challenge,” Jackson told him firmly.
“Were you hurt, Jace?”
The love Jace felt for their son filled his chest. “No, son. I’m fine. Get some sleep. We’ll see you in the morning.”
“Okay,” Dean murmured, settling into the sheets as exhaustion overtook him.
“He’ll be fine,” Drew assured them as they left the room. “Mitchell, stay behind so you can conduct another claiming bite one last time before you leave.”
Mitchell nodded, going over to the bed and looking down at his triad partner. “Hey, Dean,” he said softly.
“Hey, Mitch,” Dean answered weakly. “Drew said you should bite me again.”
“Yeah.”
“Then do it, Mitch. I’m pretty tired.”
“Okay, Dean. I’ll be quick so you can get some rest.”
He leaned down toward Dean’s right shoulder. His canines dropped, and he bit into the meat of Dean’s shoulder quickly, closing his eyes as Dean’s blood filled his mouth. Licking at the wounds, he prayed to the Fates that his saliva would help give the healing properties needed to help him recover quickly.
“Good night, Dean,” Mitchell whispered. “See you later, buddy.”
Mitchell looked down at Dean one last time then left the room quietly. His heart was heavy with worry for his triad partner. He hoped he would be better soon.
The recovery room was quiet. Dean moaned slightly as he moved to get comfortable, and his pain spiked. He felt the bed shift as someone sat at his hip. He opened his eyes slowly and tried to focus. When he saw who sat before him, he couldn’t stop the slow smile that spread across his face.
“Hey, Janey,” he whispered. “How’s my sexy wolf babe?”
“Better than you,” she answered him, her voice gentle.
“You got that right, honey,” he told her, laughing lightly. “Thanks for coming to see me.”
Janey reached out and held Dean’s right hand in hers. “Sleep, Dean,” she told him, her voice shaky as foreign emotions filled her.
Dean settled and closed his eyes, loving the warmth of her hand covering his. In a very short time, he was breathing deeply as he gave in to his exhaustion and the anesthesia that still made his mind sluggish.
When Janine was sure he was sound asleep, she leaned forward and placed a gentle kiss on his chest. She rested her cheek against his warmth for a moment, taking in the quiet strength of this man. Closing her eyes, she took in a deep breath, allowing Dean’s scent to fill her and soothe her. Her canines dropped, and she sat up just slightly then bit into his chest, drawing his blood into her mouth. She swallowed quickly then released her hold on him, licking the wounds closed and kissing his chest one last time.
She leaned back and reached up to touch Dean’s face with her left hand, caressing his cheek tenderly. With her other hand she pulled the gold chain that she wore from its hiding place beneath her shirt and cradled the garnet heart in her hand. From the time Dean and Mitchell had given it to her, she hadn’t been without it. She wore it proudly, although she wore it secretly.
When she sat beside Dean silently, she felt the white ribbons of a beginning bond surrounding her. She couldn’t deny that she was Dean and Mitchell’s triad third any longer. She just wished she was a better mate. They deserved a better person than she was.
Chapter 29
Jace and Jackson held Laurie’s hands as they made their way out onto the front porch of Doc’s clinic. Mia walked silently between Lucian and Cole, not even aware that she waited for them to pace her movements. Alexander and Butler were holding Nikki between them as they stood beside the four men from Randall’s pack.
“Is the human all right?” Simon asked, sincerely caring about the young man.
“My son is fine,” Jace corrected him angrily.
“I meant no disrespect, Alpha,” Simon conceded, lowering his head in deference.
Jace looked at the man and could scent his sincerity. His wolf backed down and paced restlessly, ready to take on any other shifter who would threaten or disparage his family.
“We’ll be leaving,” Simon told Jace, his voice strong as he stood tall and proud before him.
Jace looked at him silently, using his power to search the hearts of the men before him. He saw integrity in these men. He also saw sadness and shame.
“My family appreciates the way all of you stood up to your old alpha and did what was right,” he told them, his voice firm. He pushed feelings of strength and support toward the men, sensing the moment they accepted it. “If you would like to join our pack, you are more than welcome.”
The men looked at each other, unable to contain the surprise they were feeling. Simon waited until each of the men nodded their acceptance before turning to face Jace Beckett.
“We would be honored to become members of your pack, Alpha,” he spoke on behalf of all of them. “But we have family back on Randall’s pack land. We need to go back to them.”
“Understood,” Jace answered, accepting his words without question. “If you would prefer to stay on Randall’s land, I can offer you help to rebuild your pack. If you would like to bring your families here, they will be welcomed.”
Simon turned to Warren and raised his eyebrows in question. Warren turned to Eli and Maxwell, waiting for their input. At their hesitation, he turned and faced Jace once again.
“If you could give us some time to discuss this with our families, we would appreciate it, Alpha,” Warren told him, lowering his eyes in respect.
Jace released Laurie’s hand and stepped down off the porch, going over to the men and reaching out to touch each of their shoulders firmly. He waited until each man met his eyes befor
e moving on to the next.
“As members of my pack, I will expect your support and your allegiance,” he told them, his voice deep and firm. “I do not expect, nor do I want, your fear. We are family here. Do you understand?”
The men nodded, waiting for Jace to turn away before they stepped back and started to walk away. They were going to go back to their previous pack land, talk with their families, and make a decision that would affect all of their futures.
Laurie stepped down off the porch and reached out to take Jace’s hand in hers. “You’re a wonderful alpha,” she told him, leaning into his chest as he bent forward to kiss her forehead. She looked up at him and smiled, all the love she had for him evident in her brown eyes. “You’re also a wonderful father. You both are.” She turned to Jackson as he wrapped his arms around her and gazed at him with equal love and devotion. “Thank you for loving my children.”
“Do you understand that they belong to us, too, Mate?” Jackson asked her softly.
“I do now,” Laurie whispered.
“Janine?”
Drew’s voice made her jump. She had been watching Dean sleep, deep in thought as she looked at the handsome, kind man who had clearly found his way through her wall of protection.
She turned and saw Mitchell standing beside Drew. Her heart began to race. She stood quickly, worried that she had been caught by Dean’s side looking down at him with so many emotions running through her mind and heart.
“I wanted to make sure Dean was okay,” she stammered, releasing her hold on his hand and stepping away from the bed.
Dean moaned and moved restlessly, reaching out blindly. Janine took his hand immediately, glad when Dean calmed at once.
“Looks like you’re going to have to stay with me and Dean tonight, Janey,” Mitchell told her, smiling at her and winking.
Drew walked toward the bed, reaching out to take Dean’s pulse before placing his stethoscope in his ears and listening to the young man’s heartbeat. He looked at Janine’s hand and smiled softly. It was obvious that Janine cared about Dean. He looked at Mitchell and saw the happiness in the young man’s eyes as he looked at her.
“I think it might be a good idea if you stayed with Dean if you could,” Drew told her honestly. “He seems to be calmer with you here.”
Janine looked down at Dean and smiled slowly. She could see the way he settled when she held his hand. If she were to admit it to herself, she felt the same settling when she touched him. It was almost too much to experience.
“I’m going to stay here tonight to keep an eye on Dean,” Mitchell told her, walking over to her and touching her shoulder lightly. “It would be nice to have you with us. Do you think you could stay with us, Janey?”
The feeling of rightness that filled her as she felt Mitchell’s touch on her shoulder and Dean’s touch beneath her hand sent waves of need rolling through her. How could she deny his request when all she wanted to do was to stay with both of them forever?
“Okay,” she said finally. “If you think it will help him get through the night, I’ll stay.”
Drew smiled and stepped away from the trio. “I think it would help, Janine,” he said with conviction. “I’m going to go and check on Suzie. If you need anything, or if Dean feels feverish or is in a lot of pain, come and get me right away.”
“Okay,” Janine whispered.
Once Drew left, Mitchell walked around the side of the bed to get on Dean’s right side. He reached out and pulled back the sheet and light blanket.
“Come on, Janey,” he told her, winking. “Climb in.”
“I’m not getting into bed with him,” Janine sputtered, releasing Dean’s hand and stepping back away from them.
Dean moaned immediately and reached out to search for Janey’s hand. Mitchell looked at her in a panic. Dean’s sounds of pain upset him.
“Janey,” Dean mumbled.
“Janey, please,” Mitchell called to her quietly. “Please help him. He won’t relax unless you’re beside him.”
Dean tried to get up, falling back against the bed and grabbing for his left arm. A fine sheen of perspiration covered his upper body as he fought against the intense pain.
“Dean, please don’t move,” Janine told him softly as she stepped closer to him.
“Maybe I should get Drew,” Mitchell told her, dropping the covers and starting to walk around the bed to leave the room.
“Wait,” Janine told him, reaching out to touch his forearm lightly.
Mitchell stopped and looked down at her, taking a deep breath and drawing in her scent. He couldn’t prevent the rumbling growls that escaped him. His wolf wanted her.
He watched in silence as Janey walked over to the bed, toed off her sneakers, pulled down the light covers, and climbed into bed to lie beside Dean.
Dean immediately calmed as Janey’s head settled against his right arm. She rested her hand on his chest lightly and caressed him slowly.
Mitchell took all of two seconds to decide what to do. He kicked off his boots, climbed into bed beside Janey, and pulled the covers over the three of them. He scooted closer to her, glad that the narrowness of the bed made it necessary to cuddle against her back and press her tightly between him and Dean. He felt the way she immediately tensed and waited to see what she would do.
After a moment, he felt her body relax and settle comfortably between the two of them. It was a start.
Mitchell leaned against the pillow that he shared with Janey, breathing in the sweet scent of her hair as she snuggled deeper into Dean’s side. He matched her movement, lying on his side and pressing closer until her sweet backside rested against his thighs.
“Thank you, Janey,” he whispered, kissing her neck lightly.
She didn’t answer, but she took hold of his hand as it rested on her hip and squeezed it lightly. The way she fit so comfortably between them said it all. Whether she admitted it or not, she belonged to them.
Mitch looked over her head to find Dean looking at him and smiling. Dean winked at him then looked down at their sexy wolf babe.
It was going to be a good night.
Chapter 30
“Suzie, are you sure you’re okay, baby?” Carter asked her as he pulled her into the bathroom and started tugging off her clothes.
“I’m fine, Carter. Why are you trying to get me into the shower?”
“I don’t like the scent of those other men on your skin,” he muttered. “I only want to smell you and our cub.”
Suzie smiled and reached up to frame Carter’s face between her hands. She leaned forward and rubbed her face against the stubble on his cheek.
“Can you scent our baby?” she whispered.
“Yes, Suzie Q,” Carter told her, kissing her forehead lightly. “I love the way your scent has changed. I love you. And I love our baby.” He turned her toward the shower and smacked her bare backside. “Now get into that shower and wash off the offensive scent of those other wolves.”
“Aren’t you going to shower with me?” she asked him, turning to face him as she slid open the beautifully etched, glass shower door.
“No, sweetheart,” Carter told her, stepping back and surveying the naked beauty of their mate. Knowing their child was growing inside of her made her beauty even more special. He couldn’t wait to see her belly swelling as their child grew. “If I get in there with you, I’m going to sink my cock inside of you as I push you against the wall of the shower.”
“And that would be bad, why?” Suzie teased him.
Carter stepped toward her, reaching up to caress her right breast before pinching her nipple and tugging on it. Suzie’s gasp of surprise, immediately followed by her growl of desire, made him smile. He leaned toward her mouth, stopping just short of making contact with her lips.
“I want you to wash off that offensive scent, get out of that shower, and climb into our bed. I want you kneeling with your sweet ass tipped up, presented to me, so I can fill you with a special toy that Drew and I bought
just for you.”
“Okay,” Suzie whispered, her eyes dilating with passion as her pussy clenched in anticipation of an amazing night of lovemaking.
“Do you think you’re up for a little fun?” he asked her, growling as his eyes flashed golden. His wolf was pushing him to claim their pregnant mate. He and Drew were going to fill her with their scents and rub all over her body so that no one would ever question who she belonged to.
“I hope it will be more than a little fun,” she teased, leaning forward and biting down on his jaw. “Do you think you and Drew can do that for me?”
Carter’s instant growl made her laugh softly.
“You’re too easy,” she told him, reaching down and palming his cock through his scrubs, squeezing lightly. She traced the length of him and smiled at the way his breath became labored. “I’ll be out in just a minute. You and Drew better be hard and ready to take me.”
“Baby, you have nothing to worry about,” Carter told her, growling.
Suzie smiled, stepping into the shower and sliding the door closed. She couldn’t help but wonder what toy Carter and Drew had bought for her. It really didn’t matter. Whatever it was, Suzie just knew she was going to have an amazing night filled with love with the men who filled her life with happiness.
When Suzie walked into their bedroom ten minutes later, both Carter and Drew were waiting for her. They stood silently beside their bed, completely naked and fully aroused.
Suzie walked over to them without hesitation, reaching out to take both of their shafts in hand and stroke them firmly. The groans that escaped both men made her smile. She loved giving them pleasure.
“Like that, do you?” she whispered, leaning forward to bite Carter’s chest lightly before turning to Drew and doing the same to him.
“Yeah, you could say we like it,” Drew whispered, reaching up to take Suzie’s face between his palms and bring her toward him so he could kiss her tenderly. “We want to make love to you, honey.” His mouth was gentle as he nipped at her lower lip.
“Isn’t it good that I want the same thing,” she told them, laughing softly.
Susannah's Saviors [Beckett's Wolf Pack, Triad Mates 3] (Siren Publishing Ménage and More) Page 35
