Jupiter's Shadow

by Tl Reeve

  “What about this Tommy person she was talking about?” Axel crossed his arms. “What if she tells him?”

  “She won’t. I trust her.” If there was anyone who might take the truth in stride it would be Silvi. She didn’t have a mean bone in her body. Ultra-liberal.

  “What else should we add to the list of laws?” Hawk, a member of Mace’s pack pushed forwards.

  “No forced pregnancy.” Alex put his hand on Sarafina’s shoulder.

  “Agreed.” No way in hell I’d allow it to happen to anyone else here. The idea of what could have happened to my friend gutted me. Though she put on a happy face, the trauma had to have taken its toll. “Any alpha found to be reverting back to this practice will be killed.”

  Sarafina’s gaze met mine. She inclined her chin, as steel resolve filled her emerald green eyes. “Agreed.”

  Each law we made solidified our packs as a unit. “Any member of our packs who won’t follow the laws we’ve laid out will be cast out.”

  Again, everyone was of the same mind. “One more thing, because I realize we all have to return to our packs before someone questions all of you being gone. None of this will be revealed until the day I announce the mating to my men.”

  “You’re mating them all? Emily, Mace’s sister cocked her head to the side and studied me. Her preternatural gaze held me spellbound. Her crystal blue eyes had flecks of grey and brown and her bow-shaped lips reminded me of the little fairies I’d read about as a child. “Are you being forced to?”

  I shook my head. “No, I’m not being forced.” I grinned and held out my hand to all my mates. Each one including Bowie and Scout, joined us. “They are mine and we are all equal. I welcomed each of them to my new life with them. It is why we are here today. It is time we approach life differently. We are free within our packs.”

  * * *

  Darkness covered the pack lands by the time we returned home. I was exhausted. Drained from the excitement of catching a criminal and because I’d started us down the long winding path to finding a new start. Banding together had been the right thing. The only thing we could have done to strengthen our lines.

  Dax opened the door to our home and for the first time, I realized it hadn’t been close to our home. This was my home, and they were staying here. Things needed to change. We had to add on, or move or tear this house down and build a new one. I didn’t care. I snorted. I should. We didn’t have much.

  “Hey, you’re thinking too hard.” Scout came up beside me. “How about Bowie and I run a bath for you?”

  The idea of slipping into my tub for a soak sounded lovely. I hadn’t done it since I’d finished the remodel. “Yes, thank you.”

  Dax wrapped his arm around me. “Have fun tonight. Accept them.”

  I gave a quick bob of my head. “You know it.”

  A sense of, this is it, filled me. These men were the last to find their place in our mating. I fully understood what I would be getting with both. In a way, ever since walking in on them, their sweat-slicked bodies grinding together at a sensual beat, I couldn’t get the idea of being included out of my head. I should have been upset. I should have kicked them out, yet I’d found myself so aroused, I didn’t want to give them up.

  As I pushed the door open to my room, the light from my bathroom illuminated the darkness. I kicked my shoes off first, then slowly undressed. I could see both men’s broad, naked backs and bare feet. They knelt in front of my tub, wearing their jeans.

  “I want this to work, so, tell me what to do.” I leaned against the door jam, staring down at them. Both men were gorgeous in my eyes. Though not as muscular as say Mace or Benning, their honed bodies were made to run, hunt, and fuck.

  Their heads turned and their gazes ate up every inch of my body. My inner bitch rolled over and gave a swish of her tail, pleased by the way they stared at me. The heady scent of their arousal and lust beat against my senses, leaving me lightheaded and a bit drunk.

  “You’re going to kill us, Pip.” His lip curled exposing his canine.

  My sex grew slicker with each throb of my clit. Pure masculine arousal flowed between both men, then seeped into my veins, heating my blood. My heart kicked up a notch, beating a rapid tattoo.

  “We didn’t think you’d give us a chance. We resigned ourselves to being a part of this relationship, no matter what capacity it would be in.” Scout pushed a lock of my hair behind my ear.

  “Can I…” I swallowed hard. The husky quality of my voice rasped over my skin, adding to the intimacy of our relationship. “Can I see you…t-together?”

  Bowie’s eye widened, and his nostrils flared. Scout gasped and slid his gaze towards his partner. Their scent changed. In those seconds, neither man spoke. I’d figured out they were hiding from me. Keeping this overwhelming scent of craving. But it was more, a darker scent clung to Bowie. A vicious hunger, I’d never witnessed before.

  A shudder worked through me.

  “Oh, my sweet little Pip. You don’t know what you ask for.” The nice boy facade fell from Bowie’s features. In its place stood a savage man half-starved, ready to devour me.

  Oh fuck. What the hell have I gotten myself into? “I’ve seen you.”

  “Restrained,” Scout emphasized. “You’re in for a treat, mate.”

  They each took my hands and led me to the bubble filled tub. “You get settled in there and I’ll be right back.” Bowie padded out of the bathroom.

  I took a seat. Scouts hooded stare only ramped up my need for them. To watch them seek their pleasure. To learn from them so I might be able to join at some point. I wouldn’t push it, though. We’d go at their speed and with their comfort level. I didn’t want them to think they were part of a circus act who needed to perform for me when I called.

  “Are you sure?” Scout whispered, running his finger along my collar bone. Who knew the simple touch could ping out an erogenous zone.

  “Yes.” I met his stare. “I have been thinking about you since the night I walked in on you.”

  “Well, damn.” He chuckled. “I thought we repulsed you.”

  I shook my head. “Never.” I leaned towards him and brushed my lips over his.

  He groaned. “Please, don’t start something we all won’t finish.”

  I chuckled. “Oh, we’re finishing this.”

  “Thank fuck.”

  Bowie returned completely naked. The thick stalk of his erection, the same one I’d only caught a glimpse of other night, was in full view. Precum leaked from the tear-shaped slit and rolled down his shaft. My mouth watered. My palm itched to take him in hand. As if hearing my intentions, his cock jerked and more of his essence spilled free. I’d never seen anything so erotic or stimulating.

  “If you don’t stop looking at me like you are, I’m not going to last.” Bowie groaned as he went to his knees. “Get naked, Scout.”

  “Don’t have to tell me twice.” He smirked as he stood and flicked the tab of his jeans. When he lowered the zipper, I swore he teased me. Inch by inch of hard, thick flesh was exposed to my perusal.

  “Tease,” I growled.

  “Fuck, yes. I’ve been waiting for this moment, hoping it would happen. I yearned to share this with you.”

  “What do you want to see, Pip?” Bowie’s question drew my attention to him. “Direct us tonight and we’ll give you what you desire.”

  I swallowed hard. “I-I…” I blew out a breath trying to gather myself. “Scout, suck Bowie’s dick.”

  “Direct. Sexy as fuck.” He winked at me.

  “Less talking. More sucking.” Bowie fisted his hand in Scout’s short locks. He lowered Scout’s face to his groin and a masculine groan rumbled from Bowie.

  I thought maybe Scout would just go to town. Instead, he licked and nibbled the bulbous tip before swirling his tongue around the end. I leaned forwards, desperate for the same taste.

  “Share it,” Bowie grunted as he drew Scout back.

  The first swipe of his tongue across mine, surpr
ised me. By the second, I latched onto the appendage, and drew it into my mouth. He kissed with a raw hunger, leaving me panting and searching for more as he turned back to Bowie. I’d die from the anticipation alone while waiting for Scout to continue.

  I curled my fingers around the edge of the tub. My breath came in short pants. My nipples were so hard, they hurt. My clit throbbed. Even though I sat in a tub of water, I could feel my arousal coating my pussy and the tops of my thighs. My eyes rolled, then fluttered shut when he finally took Bowie’s dick into his mouth. He didn’t do it in short strokes. He took the massive length with one bob of his head.

  A whimper fell from my lips. Lowering one of my hands, I circled my clit. Already, tingles of pleasure slid down my spine and gathered low in my belly. I had a feeling we’d all be climaxing before any of us got to the main event.

  “Shit!” Bowie yelped. “His mouth is so fucking hot.”

  Scout groaned.

  Bowie’s features were tight with arousal. “Are you getting off watching us, Pip? Does it make your pussy clench?”

  “Yes,” I murmured. “I ache for it.”

  “Let it build, baby.”

  Scout’s pace increased. The guttural sounds coming from my mates were enough to send me flying, yet, I held on. I wanted to come with them. Join their pleasure. I inserted my index finger into my pussy. My head fell back. Exquisite bliss coursed through my veins and centered at my clenching pussy.

  “Keep going, Pip. I’m so close.” He moaned. Bowie’s eyes fluttered shut while Scout kept at him.

  I could learn a few things from Scout. He stroked, sucked, then licked the man’s dick pushing both of them closer to the edge. When I glanced down, Scout’s cock turned an angry red color. It bobbed and jerked as he pleasured Bowie. Copious amounts of precum leaked from its crest, leaving long translucent threads in its wake.

  Finally, he took his shaft in hand while he continued to blow Bowie. The air in the bathroom grew thicker with anticipation. I could hardly breathe. My gaze locked on them. The sweat covering Bowie’s chest. The way Scout shuddered when he rubbed his thumb over the tip of his erection.

  “Give it to us, Pip,” Bowie snarled. His heated gaze snared mine. The predatory gleam in his eyes pushed me over. My pussy constricted around my finger as my belly clenched. I cried out at the first pulse of my release.

  “Fuck, swallow it all, Scout,” he howled. The tendons and veins in his neck stood out while crimson coloring bloomed on his chest and face.

  Scout finding his release, set me off again. Witnessing his cock jerk and throb as his release shot from the tip…holy shit. I’d never seen anything so salacious or filthy. Boneless, I sank into the warm water, trying to catch my breath. It had been one of the most lascivious scenes I’d ever seen. I wanted to do it again. I wanted to be between them or below them. Hell, I didn’t care. I had to have both men in my bed.

  For now, though, I closed my eyes and grinned like a freaking fool.

  “Someone enjoyed what they saw,” Bowie teased.

  “Did you see her come?” Scout added. “Best fucking thing ever.”

  “Next time, when I’m fucking you, you’re going to be balls deep inside Pip. I can’t wait to get you both in bed together.”

  Damn, I was going to chalk Bowie’s ESP as just being able to read people. “I’m recharging. Round two will start momentarily.” I slid my gaze to Bowie.

  His cocky smirk had me glancing down. “I’ll have no problem taking care of either of you. Stamina for days.”

  I’d awoken my beasts, and I loved all five of them.

  Chapter Fourteen

  The next few weeks flew by. Between planning for our mating ceremony and my case, I hadn’t had time to breathe, let alone divulge my deepest secret to my friend. Nor taken a moment to read over the new pack laws we’d all agreed to.

  I sat at my desk and blew out a breath of exhaustion. Soon, I could take a couple days, be a wolf, and leave my troubles behind. I rubbed my forehead as I stared at the documents LAPD sent us.

  Mr. Sanchez wasn’t just grieving the loss of his family, he had a history of mental illness which went unchecked for the majority of his life. Paranoid Schizophrenia with hallucinations, was bad enough. Throw in witnessing your family’s death, I couldn’t imagine the grief he experienced or the absolute break from reality he experienced.

  I wondered if he saw his family each time he set off a signal box. Had he relived the last moments with them? Were they laughing? Did they have a good day before things went south? My heart broke for him, but it didn’t excuse the fact he murdered countless people and hurt scores more. If he sought retribution for the death of his wife and children, he struck the wrong people.

  “You look exhausted,” Silvi observed. “Maybe you should take a couple of days off.”

  “I’d love to. Can’t. Not till we can write our final reports and setup extradition.” I realized it could take years for Jaime to show up in Chattanooga to face charges, but no stone would be left unturned.

  “Did you get everything planned with your family?” She sat beside me.

  “Yes.” Now or never I suppose. “Silvi, what if there were something different about me, physically, would you still be my friend?”

  She frowned. “Haven’t I proved time after time, I’m here for you?”

  I nodded. “I’m taking a leap here. It’s hard to tell you because I have kept it a secret my whole life.”

  Silvi leaned into me, her expression turning serious. “Are you a lesbian?”

  I laughed. Full body. Stomach hurting, laughed. No, I wasn’t a lesbian. “No. Not even close, but I might be in love with two bisexual men, a big teddy bear, a protector and my friend.”

  “Wait, did you use a Breakfast Club line to tell me you’re a freak?” Her lips quirked. Amusement danced in her dark eyes.

  Well, shit. I guess I had. “There’s more.”

  “I suspected.” She placed her hand on mine and squeezed. “Jupiter, no matter what, even if it scares the shit out of me, I’m your friend. Nothing will change how I feel about you.”

  Fucking. Hell. Why did she have to make it so easy, and yet, so difficult to tell her at the same time? “I can’t do this here. It’s pretty big.”

  “That’s what she said,” Silvi joked, adding a bit of levity to our conversation.

  “I swear you’re a perv. It’s Tommy, isn’t it? He’s dragging you to the dark side.”

  She chuckled. “Or maybe it’s me who has brought him to the kinky side.”

  “I don’t need to be privy to your little games,” I stated, holding up my hand.

  “Says the woman with five lovers. How about we grab some lunch? Mini-bean and I are starved, and you look like you could use a recharge, too.”

  My stomach growled reminding me how I spent the early hours of the morning wrapped in Bowie’s and Scout’s arms instead of eating. “Perfect. I know a little place.”

  Thoughts swirled in my mind the whole time we drove out to the little diner near my pack lands. I had wondered if I shouldn’t call the guys and ask them to join us, then figured differently. If she bolted, it was better she’d only seen me and not the others. No sense in freaking her out more than necessary.

  I pulled into the parking lot and found a spot near the door. I hoped I was making the right decision not only for myself, but all our packs. Everyone was counting on me to make this happen. It had to work. She had to accept me.

  “How come I’ve never seen this place before?” She glanced around the area.

  “It’s closer to my home than town.”

  Silvi tilted her head. “You live out here?”

  “Surprise?” I cleared my throat and motioned her to follow. “It’s a quiet place. Out of the way and no one will bother us.”

  “I think you’ve got serial killers on the brain.” She brushed past me and entered the diner. “Since when do you need privacy to tell me something about your personal life?”

  Since
I sprout fur and howl at the moon. “It’s complicated.” Complicated is loving five guys. Being a wolf is grounds for being put in a mental institution.

  “Whose life isn’t?”

  Okay, she had a point. “Let’s sit. I promise I’ll tell you everything.” I found an empty table near the back, away from people. When she was situated, I began the process of revealing myself and our packs. “This isn’t easy. I’ve wanted to tell you since the moment I met you, but I’ve had to hide it for fear of what would happen to me and my family.”

  “Witness Protection? It would account for the way out place you live. Why you don’t invite me to your home and why you have five incredibly handsome guys at your beck and call.”

  If only. “There are beings in this world who aren’t completely human or animal.” I swallowed hard and kept my gaze down. I couldn’t look her in the face when I said it. “We don’t tell anyone of our existence for fear we’d be killed or worse, experimented on. However, our packs are dying out. Our lives are shortening and we need fresh bloodlines to help us rebuild.”

  “Wait. Back up a minute. Packs?” Uncertainty rolled off her along with confusion and doubt. “Wolves?”

  “Yes.”

  “Jupiter.” She sighed. “You don’t have to make up lies to—”

  I held my left hand out, away from prying eyes, and allowed a partial shift. Sandy-color fur sprang up, and my nails took on the distinct characteristic of a wolf. Silvi gasped. She gripped the table hard, until her fingers changed color.

  “What the fuck?” She rubbed her eyes. “Pregnancy hormones, has to be.”

  I shook my head. “What you saw is real.”

  “How, though?” The pleading in her eyes demanded I explain how this worked and to assure her she wasn’t crazy.

  “Evolution? A sick native curse. I don’t know,” I answered. “There are four packs. Each of us have pack designations. I’m the alpha’s daughter. We don’t get sick and our life expectancy is pretty long, but we can die. However, not everything you read in books is true. Like silver hurting us, or biting people to create more. We’re just people with a kick.”