by Lia Davis
She slapped his stomach and he faked a groan of pain. "Shhh, old man, they don't need to hear that."
"I'm Bart. Bart Hightower. I'd shake your hand, but I'm pretty sure I'm holding my wife up at this point." He smiled at me, and instantly I liked him. He had that way about him like you could trust him with all your problems. No wonder he was such a good salesman.
"Meda."
"Well," Tanya said. "Imagine our surprise when we get a phone call from the High Alpha of the Collective, asking if his daughter is at our home."
She turned to stare at Sterling. "You could've warned us?"
"How'd you know?" I asked the dads.
"Tala." Paw turned to Tanya. "To be fair, we aren't the High Alphas. That's our wife. We're the High Kings, alongside our other mate, Kane. I'm Voss, and this is my mate, Quin."
My dads, as far as I knew, didn't have overly romantic feelings toward one another. But they'd always said that they were mates, along with mom, because they treated their relationship and rule equally. Though technically Mom could overrule about the lycan and Dad could overrule about the vampires, they tried to never do that and present themselves to the world as one united, mated front.
Sterling's parents introduced themselves, and everyone shook hands. I was a little surprised they hadn't met before.
"Now that we're all friends. What the hell is going on?" Paw gave me a stern look.
I explained what had been happening, from the beginning. All four parents interrupted frequently, with lots and lots of questions, and several exclamations reprimanding us both for not involving them. By the time I got to the appearance of Lilipad and Poppy, my Niswi looked like they were going to explode.
Just then, Paw got a text. He checked his phone and made a face at me. "It's your mother, wondering why she's getting so much anger over the bond."
"Mom doesn't know?" I asked, relieved. "I'm so glad. That's one of the reasons we didn't tell you. That, and we didn't want you to pull us from school."
"Of course we didn't tell her yet. She would've lost her mind."
"How long have you known?" I asked sheepishly.
"Your sentries called us not long before you were found. We'd just gotten the three of us into the same room to discuss how to hunt you down when we got a call saying they'd found you and that you were heading here."
I'd like to smack the sentry that ratted us out. "Who told you?"
"You'll have to take it up with your sentries, but they did the right thing. You were missing for over a day and have no idea why or how." Paw looked ready to explode. "We're going to have to get to the bottom of this immediately."
"It's not that easy!" I continued my explanation, glossing over the fact that I also had three mates. I didn't think they'd be bothered that I was in a poly relationship, but I wasn't even sure if they could handle the deflowering of their precious firstborn, much less than by three different men, all three older than me.
Once I had them filled in on our plan and had tried to explain the sub, they had calmed down.
"Okay," Papa sighed. "I think the trap is a good idea."
"I agree, Quin." Paw rubbed his fingers over his eyes. "I'll warn the teachers and staff. We will have to surreptitiously add some security to campus. We'll think of a reason to have more sentries nearby."
I was happy to leave that part of the plan to them. The whole campus experience was supposed to be fun and exciting. Instead, it was stressful and scary.
"In the meantime, as much as we don't want to leave you staying with a boy," Paw said with a glare at Sterling. His eyes widened and he gulped. "After speaking to the Hightowers about their security, we do think this is the best place for you."
I nodded and leaned into him so he could put his arm around me. "Why isn't Dad here?" I asked.
"Your father is keeping your mother from figuring out there is something going on. It's their date night, so he kept at it, business as usual."
"Hug him for me, please."
"You'll be lucky if he doesn't show up here himself."
My Niswi stood and thanked the Hightowers. "When we can fill our wife in on all of this, and when she's done beating us to a pulp for keeping it from her, we will call you to schedule a dinner. Apparently, we will be combining our empires in the near future." My Papa winked at me and Sterling, who had moved to stand beside me.
"We would love that," Tanya said. "And don't worry. We'll keep her safe. If you need to send either of your other daughters here, please do.
Chapter Eleven
Holy hell, I thought my Niswi would never leave. They must've said goodbye four times as Sterling and I stood with his parents.
Finally, though, we walked them to the front door and they were gone. "Wow," I whispered. "Never thought I'd be pushing them out the door of my mate's house like that." I giggled, thinking about how much my life had since starting college.
"You hungry?" Sterling asked, taking my hand.
"Yeah, but can we eat upstairs?" I tried to keep my face bland, not wanting to give away the real reason I wanted to go back to his apartment.
My attempts must've been unsuccessful because his eyes darkened. "Absolutely, yes." Taking my hand, he pulled me toward the stairs. "Night Mom, night Dad!" he called toward the family room.
They poked their heads out the door and waved. "Sleep well," Tanya said.
"Or not." His dad whispered.
Tanya gasped as they went back in the family room. "Stop that, Bartie. I'm not ready to think about what my baby is going to be doing with that girl in his room."
"For cripe's sake, woman, he's twenty. Time to realize he's a grown man." Bart made a muffled sound, then Tanya squealed.
"Bartie, you're the devil."
I groaned. "Don't they realize I have really sensitive hearing?" I asked Sterling. "I'd rather not hear this."
He cleared his throat loudly and moved faster up the stairs. "Come on, then."
We hurried up, slowing down only once I was pretty sure I couldn't hear them anymore. "Please give them a heads up about my hearing. I can't exactly turn it off."
"I'll tell them tomorrow. Come on, let's eat."
While he rustled around in his fridge, I explored the small apartment. The living area had a comfy couch, a couple of chairs, and an entertainment center. Of course, lots of human video games. I'd heard all about them from my little brother. They were all the rage among the paranormal guys, and apparently Sterling was no exception.
Sterling's phone dinged. I turned as he pulled it out of his pocket, curious and a little nosy. He checked it and put it back in his pocket. "Peter's on his way with clothes and stuff for you. Your sisters packed you a bag."
"Great. What about Dorian?"
"Had to go home and help his mom with something."
Nodding my head, I walked into the bathroom, using it and washing my hands, and maybe peeking into the cabinet while I was in there.
"How does a grilled cheese and some orange slices sound?" Sterling asked when I came out.
"Perfect, but a bit of an odd combination." I gave him a silly look.
"Sorry, I need to go shopping."
With a chuckle, I walked over to help him. "Where do you shop, the pantry downstairs?"
He pushed at my shoulder. "No, I shop at the grocery store like everyone else."
"Don't just spell your fridge full?"
He rolled his eyes but didn't answer. "If only."
"You'll have to teach me this amazing magic, this ability to fill a fridge. Do you use a wand?"
"Okay," he said, turning to me. "If you don't stop, I'll be forced to find a way to shut you up." He turned back to the skillet after wagging his spatula at me.
Desire flared inside and I definitely wanted to see him shut me up. "Oh, you're all talk. All you know how to do is use your magic for food. Old family secret?"
Leaving the sandwiches in the skillet, he set the spatula on the counter and turned toward me, a predatory expression on his face.
&n
bsp; As a lycan-vampire hybrid, I knew predatory. It was entirely possible that I was the most dangerous single predator alive. But my wolf, alpha that she was, positively quivered when he turned his gaze on us. "Traitor," I whispered.
My fire banked comfortably, content to let him stalk us. My inner beastie, the vampire side of me, the kindling for my strongest passions and hunger did nothing but wait, eager to see where this thing with the witch would go. We'd already claimed him. He belonged to us, all three parts that made me who I was. Three, but one. All of us turned, suspense tightening the muscles around our spine, and ran across the apartment.
"You're going to shut that mouth, or put it to good use," Sterling said as he followed slowly. I felt him in my head, and with my aura as he used his magic to make himself seem scarier. There was no way he didn't know I could feel the magic, so he only did it to add to the fun.
Laughing, I ducked into the bedroom and dove into his huge closet, climbing onto a shelf and moving a line of suits in front of me as I perched in a crouch on the shelf. I just hoped it was sturdy enough to hold me.
He wasn't a wolf or a vampire. If the suits stopped swaying in time, he might look in the closet and not realize I was there. As I hid, I forced my breathing to calm, but it was difficult, the anticipation taking my emotions high.
Suddenly, I heard a step on the carpet in the closet, too heavy to be Sterling. I stiffened, sucking in a deep breath, then relaxing again, preparing myself to spring out from behind the suits.
Peter.
With a big fake snarl, I lunged out from between the suits, launching myself at my sister's best friend and my new mate.
He had known exactly where I'd been hiding and opened his arms to catch me. My legs went around his waist, and he gripped my ass. "Hi," I said with a grin. "Sterling was going to make me shut my mouth."
His eyebrows rose. "I saw. I can't believe you didn't hear me come in."
I gave him a sheepish look. "I was distracted."
Laughing, he walked out of the closet to Sterling's bedroom and out into the living area. I twisted my head. "Sterling? Where'd you go?"
"As much as I wanted to teach you a lesson, I didn't want your food to burn." As he said the words, my stomach clenched, reminding me how hungry I was.
He was already trying to take care of me, and we'd barely been mated over a day. I didn't know if that was a good sign or not. I started to disentangle myself from Peter, but he clenched his hands on my ass harder. "You can eat on my lap."
He sat on the couch, and I turned sideways so we could talk.
Apparently, he wasn't much in the mood for talking. As soon as I settled, his hands were in my hair, on my arms, rubbing my back, my legs—shit, when was the last time I shaved? He made no indication that he was bothered if I had any stubble, so I pushed it away.
"Can I kiss you?" he asked, his hands stopping on my neck. He rested them at the base of my neck, making me feel possessed without feeling trapped.
"Yes," I said simply.
He pressed his lips against mine, chaste and respectful. I wasn't very experienced, but even I knew he was holding back. Tentatively, I opened my mouth, giving him permission to deepen the kiss.
His hands put slightly more pressure on my neck as he opened his own lips. My top lip fell between both of his, and I licked his bottom lip, eager to feel more of him, his hands all over my body, his mouth on mine.
Pressing my front into his, I sighed, a soft sound that invoked a growl in him. Pushing my tongue into his lip a bit more, he met it with his own. I retreated, and he followed, his tongue in my mouth.
What a sensual feeling. The erotic nature of having him inside my mouth caused a visceral reaction. My nipples tightened, and my clit exploded in desire. I clenched my legs together, but Peter felt it. He pulled back.
"Don't stop," I said sadly. "I was enjoying that."
"Are you okay?" he asked. "I don't want to go too fast."
"No. I don't want to stop, but I don't know what to do about both of you." I looked over my shoulder at Sterling in the kitchen. He stood beside the stove, spatula up in the air, his gaze on Peter and me. "Oh, Sterling I'm sorry. This is bound to be weird. I shouldn't have done this in front of you, in your apartment."
Twisting around, I started to lift myself off of Peter's lap, but he wrapped his arms around my waist, pulling my ass firmly into his erection. I froze, the feel of his dick causing me to drench my panties. I'd never been so turned on and embarrassed at the same time.
"I think we need to talk," Peter said.
Sterling nodded. "Definitely."
He turned the stove off and moved the skillet to the side.
Peter whispered in my ear. "Be still, Meda, or I'm going to nut in my pants from the feel of your perfect ass grinding against me."
Freezing again, I waited a few seconds while Sterling walked toward us, then intentionally wiggled, pressing against Peter as hard as I could.
He reached around and grabbed my breasts, bold as brass, right in front of Sterling. Sterling's eyes glued to Peter’s hands on my front as they massaged and kneaded. I couldn't help myself, the feel of his hands was nearly more than I could take. I needed one of them, both of them, hell all three of them inside me. Needed it like my pussy was starving, dying of thirst.
Shit. I'd never known I could be so horny.
"Someone tell me what you want to talk about or take me in the bedroom because this mating urge is overwhelming me." I wanted to bite both of them, both as a vampire and a wolf. To be fair, I knew I should bite Peter first, but at that point, I was so bothered I truly didn't care which. I did, however, wish Dorian was there.
"So, something we haven't told you about us. Sterling motioned to Peter. "Peter, Dorian, and I."
Oh, no. There was some big secret, something would ruin the whole mating thing. They didn't really want me, or they didn't want the stress and danger of being with the High Alpha.
My mind raced, imagining what in the world they could be trying to tell me.
"We are sort of a couple." Peter still had his hands on my tits but moved them as he spoke, rubbing my arms soothingly.
"A couple?"
"I think it's called a triad, actually," Sterling said, shrugging. "But we've been together, in one way or another, since high school."
They were gay. They were gay and we were mates. How the hell was that going to work? "I, uh. I have no idea what to say. Does this mean you don't want to go forward with the side of our mating that would be like sex and relationship stuff?" I didn't think we could ignore the mating. I would have to bite them. My wolf and vampire would freak out if I didn't. The stories all said there was no point in avoiding the mating. "Okay," I said, my eyes filling with tears.
"No, this isn't bad news, or potentially it's not. It depends on how you feel about it."
"What?" I asked as Peter pulled me against him. Sterling moved to the couch beside us, grabbing my legs and pulling them into his lap.
"We wanted to do this with Dorian here, but he's still a few minutes out. And I don't want that expression on your face for another minute." Sterling put his hands on my thighs, and I looked between him and Peter.
Leaning forward, Sterling placed a soft kiss on my lips. "We're bisexual. We've all three dated men and women, and had, for lack of a better term, guests in our bed several times."
His eyebrows furrowed like his facial expression was begging me to understand. Understand that they liked sex? I was okay with that, just because I was a virgin didn't mean my mate would be. But I hadn't realized they already had an established relationship.
"Okay," I said in a shaky voice. "What does that mean for us?"
"Well, we're thrilled," Peter said, his hands roaming my body again, teasing and comforting. "But we don't know how you'll feel about the fact that while we'll be mated to you, we want to be mated to each other as well. And there might be times that we have intimate moments with each other and you’re not around, or with you, but the other tw
o guys not around."
The idea of them being together without me didn't bother me. In fact, my fire flared at the thought and my wolf rolled over on her back. The idea made us feel aroused even more. "I'm..." I paused, collecting my thoughts, having difficulty putting them into words with Sterling's hands on my thighs and Peter's hands pretty much everywhere else. "I'm okay with that."
Peter growled again, moving his roaming hands back to my breasts. "Excellent."
Sterling reached up and moved my hair off of my neck so Peter could press a kiss there. Peter moved his hands on my tits, feeling for my nipples through my bra and pinching them lightly. I sucked in a deep breath, the feeling shooting straight downward. Arching my back, I stretched, my hands going behind my head into Peter's hair.
Sterling's eyes followed the curve of my body. "Meda," he said huskily. "Dorian will be here any minute, and he's going to see you totally turned on. I don't know if we can control his vampire. He might move fast."
"Well, you don't have to control his vampire. I can do that myself."
I still needed to tell them I was a virgin. I didn't think they could possibly have known that. But I did want to wait until Dorian was there before saying anything. It was a sensitive, private subject, and I didn't want to say it twice.
"How about this?" I asked as Peter's hands wound me up. "How about we get started because if we don’t, I might explode. But no actual sex until Dorian gets here?"
Sterling's eyes dropped to Peter's hands, one of which was smoothing its way down my stomach toward my crotch. And oh how badly I wanted his hand to go where it was headed.
"Sounds amazing to me," Sterling muttered, grabbing my legs and pulling me toward him, so I was lying in Peter's lap, his erection pressing into my back.
"Oh," I said as they moved me.
The willingness to let them lead the way was foreign to me. It was ingrained in me to lead, to command. But in the bedroom, I was totally ignorant. I'd barely ever kissed a guy, and Peter had already kissed me more thoroughly than I'd ever been kissed before.
When my wolf and vampire were ready to claim Peter and Dorian, I knew I'd take the lead, but until then, I was happy to go along for the ride.
