Abbey's Protectors [Beckett's Wolf Pack, Triad Mates 4] (Siren Publishing Ménage and More)

by Lynnette Bernard

  Both men stepped toward her and crowded her against the side of the truck, pressing their bodies gently against hers. Hunter reached up and grasped the length of her hair and twisted it in his hand, holding her still as he leaned forward and kissed her with all the building passion he had been fighting to keep under control.

  Abbey felt his heart pounding against her chest and knew that hers was beating just as rapidly, matching his. She couldn’t prevent the whimper of need that escaped her as he pushed his leg between hers and rubbed against her erotically.

  “Don’t ever tease like that again, Mate,” he whispered against her lips. “My wolf doesn’t like it and neither do I.”

  “Just thinking about you belonging to any other triad rips my heart out, honey,” Clay told her as he leaned forward to claim her lips with such possession there was no doubt of his feelings for her.

  “I promise I won’t ever say that again,” Abbey whispered when he finally released her lips. “I don’t want to spend my future with anyone else. And I don’t want anyone else to be the fathers of my children.”

  Their eyes flashed golden immediately as growls of possession rolled from their chests. The sounds vibrated against Abbey, soothing her rather than frightening her. She leaned into their warmth and rubbed her face against their shirts, breathing in their scents deeply and calming considerably. It seemed that her scent had the same effect on both men if she were to judge by the instant chuffing sounds they gave her before the growls turned to a definite, satisfied purring. She realized that she would be content to remain in their arms like this forever.

  “Okay, baby,” Hunter said finally, satisfied that their mate was happy with them as her choice of triad mates. “Let’s go. We want to show you our home.”

  He reached around her and grabbed for the handle of the door of the truck, tugging it open and helping her up into the cab. Clay took his place behind the wheel and started the truck. Putting it in gear, he maneuvered the truck around the side of the family lodge to the side road that led to the home he and Hunter had built with their mate in mind. They would soon find out if the home they had created would be a perfect match for Abbey.

  They watched her out of the corner of their eyes as they pulled in front of the large, log home that would be the home that they shared. Her instant smile made them relax.

  “It’s beautiful,” she told them softly as she looked at the house before her. There were three steps that led up to a wraparound porch. The deep richness of the logs gave an elegance to the house. The double doors that graced the front entrance held large windows that were etched with the most exquisite scene of a beautiful garden with a trellis that overlooked a pool with a waterfall.

  The vision Abbey had experienced of her actually being in that garden and turning to see her men carrying their son and daughter flashed through her mind. The instant warmth that filled her made her blush. She was afraid to hope that such a place existed as a possibility for her future. She carefully avoided her men’s eyes as she walked up the front steps and waited patiently while Hunter reached out and opened the front doors for her.

  Clay carried her backpack and duffle bag, carefully setting them down by the living room couch before he followed Abbey through the house. Neither he nor Hunter said a word as Abbey looked around. He tried to see it from her perspective, wondering if the house was something she would like and be comfortable living in.

  He and Hunter had designed the house with their mate in mind. Something in them always made them know that their mate would like a house with an airy atmosphere. They had an open floor plan with a large kitchen and living room. The master suite was created with enough room to accommodate the three of them and any children who wanted to cuddle in their bed with them. The additional five bedrooms on the second floor were large—plenty of room for a growing family.

  The sliding glass doors that led out to the backyard were covered by a rich maroon curtain with gold threading running through it. When the sun shone through, the threads sparkled and gave off a soft glow of warmth that filled the living room. The deep brown couches in the living room were settled intimately in front of the slate fireplace. There were two recliners and an overstuffed rocking chair off to the side, something both men felt strongly about adding to their home so their mate would have a place to rock their cubs.

  Abbey smiled as she looked around. Everything about the house screamed comfort to her. She loved the openness. She loved the soothing, muted colors of maroon and gold. She especially loved the rocking chair and the vision both men sent her of her sitting there rocking their baby to sleep. It was a beautiful picture—one that she hoped would be their reality.

  Turning, she walked over to the glass doors that led to the backyard. She slid open the panel and walked out onto the deck, gasping at the beauty that faced her.

  “Oh. My. Goodness.”

  “Do you like it, baby?” Hunter asked her as he and Clay came up behind her and watched as she walked across the deck to the steps.

  “This is absolutely beautiful,” she told them softly as she walked down the steps and surveyed the yard that was enclosed by a ten foot wooden fence artfully hidden by tall bushes to ensure complete privacy. She made her way toward the white trellis that was adorned with the most colorful array of flowers she had ever seen.

  It was exactly as her vision of the area had depicted. The flower garden that edged the perimeter of the yard was absolutely amazing. The elegant marble fountain in the center of the yard flowed with a small bubble of water, making Abbey smile at the simplicity of the adorable, carved birds that sat in the middle of the basin.

  Most stunning of all was the pool at the far end of the yard. The rock wall that served as a backdrop to the pool had layers of slate that graduated up to a ledge that housed the most incredible waterfall Abbey had ever seen. The cascading water that fell from it ended in the deep end of the pool, creating a beautiful curtain of privacy that she couldn’t wait to slip behind and share with her men.

  “I love this,” she told them softly as she turned to face Hunter and Clay, her eyes wide with amazement. “This is my idea of perfection.”

  Both men smiled as they neared her and took her into their arms. She hugged them tightly and rested against their strength. She had never felt so happy to be anywhere in her life.

  Stepping back out of their arms, she looked around and saw the beautiful swing that hung from the overhang of the back deck. She remembered her vision of sitting on that swing and nursing their daughter and cuddling their son. Her heart was filled with hope that what she had seen would actually be her future. So far, everything she saw before her was exactly as she had envisioned.

  “I’m glad you like it, Abbey,” Hunter told her. “When Clay and I had this built, we both had a vision that our mate would be happy with a yard like this.”

  “Well, you both are exactly right,” Abbey told him, laughing as she flung out her arms and spun around. “This is the most amazing thing I have ever seen. It’s a wonderful home. I love it.”

  “This is your home now, too, Abbey,” Clay told her gently. “If you want it to be.”

  The hesitance in his voice tugged at Abbey’s heart. She turned to face the men who gave her such complete and open love. Stepping toward them, she reached out and took their hands in hers, squeezing them gently. “I think it’s the best home I’ve ever seen. I want to share it with you.”

  Neither man could speak. Abbey’s joy filled them with such happiness. They could feel her love for her new home. They could see her thoughts about taking care of their children. Everything fell into place at that moment. The Fates had blessed them with their perfect mate. Abbey.

  Abbey kicked off her sneakers and walked toward the swimming pool, never stopping to take off her clothes as she took hold of the metal handrail, stepped down the marble steps, and submerged herself in the tepid warmth of the water. She swam toward the place where the waterfall cascaded into the pool, ducking beneath it and comin
g up on the other side.

  Before she could even call out to her men to join her, they were emerging from the water in front of her and smiling at her as they tread water before her. How they managed to remove all their clothing and get to her so quickly she had no idea, but she wasn’t going to question it. It was damn sexy, and she wanted them immediately.

  They growled and backed her against the wall of the pool. She couldn’t contain the laughter from spilling from her. She was so incredibly happy and content, it was amazing.

  “I love you both so much,” she told them happily, the smile falling from her face as she saw the intensity with which they looked at her as soon as she spoke the words.

  Hunter leaned against her left shoulder, pulling aside her T-shirt and licking at his mating mark before biting down on it gently. Clay did the same to his mark on her right shoulder. Between the two men she was nearly panting with the need to show them just how much they meant to her.

  She fought the panic of her admission of her feelings. Carefully opening her heart to the two men, she followed the white ribbon of their bond to their hearts and saw the honest love that they had for her. There was not one ounce of hesitation or confusion. They loved her completely. She could feel their happiness. She could feel their sudden gratitude that she accepted them and wanted to love and comfort them. Despite the way they tried to hide their hurt, she could feel the way their souls were bruised from the years of dealing with the brutal side of their job. She also felt the loneliness that had consumed them from being without their mate for so many years.

  “I probably shouldn’t have said that yet,” Abbey whispered nervously. “How can I love you? It’s too quick.”

  “Oh, no you don’t, Abbey,” Hunter warned her. “No take backsies allowed.”

  “Take backsies?” Abbey asked, smiling as her eyebrows lifted at the term a young child would use.

  “That’s right,” Hunter told her. “Don’t confuse the issue by making fun of me.”

  “He’s right, Abbey,” Clay added, supporting his triad partner. “We used to say that as kids when someone was trying to get out of something.”

  “I’m not trying to get out of something,” Abbey protested.

  “Yes, you are, sweetheart,” Hunter stopped her. “You’re trying to pull back the words. You just said you love us. You can’t take it back.”

  “But…”

  “No, honey,” Clay stopped her. “You can not take it back. You told us you loved us because it came naturally from your heart. You can’t deny it. You. Love. Us.”

  Abbey’s back was flush against the wall of the pool. Hunter and Clay rested their hands on the lip of the pool, keeping their bodies away from hers. She knew they were giving her space so she could think clearly.

  She laid her head back against the tile wall, closing her eyes and taking in a breath to settle herself. “Here’s what I know,” she said finally, opening her eyes and facing both men. “I know that I’ve never felt more comfortable than I’ve ever felt before.”

  Both men remained silent, but they did move closer. Abbey smiled at them as she wiped away the water that was dripping down her face.

  “I also know that I’ve experienced more kindness and caring in the last few days than I have in my entire life.” She leaned forward and kissed Hunter’s lips gently then turned and did the same to Clay’s. “I feel you deep inside my soul. I see your goodness. I see your strength. And I can see that you care about me.”

  “We more than care about you, baby,” Hunter told her, leaning toward her and kissing her forehead before easing back.

  “If you search the mating link, you’ll never be unsure of what’s in our hearts, honey,” Clay told her gently. “You have to know without a doubt that we love you.”

  Abbey smiled and ran her hands across both men’s shoulders to settle them on their chests, feeling the steady thumping of their hearts beneath her palms. “I can feel that you do.” She scratched their chests lightly, loving the contented growls she was pulling from them.

  Trust in your men’s love for you, Abigail. Do not keep your feelings from them.

  Abbey gasped in surprise as the beautiful woman’s gentle voice filled her mind and her heart. She saw the surprise on her men’s faces and felt their contentment as peace filled them.

  “Our Mother Fate is blessing us again, Mate,” Hunter whispered, leaning in and wrapping his arms around her.

  “Never before have the men of the mated triads heard the messages sent to our women,” Clay told her softly, leaning against Abbey and kissing her temple. “You have a special connection to our Mother Fate that gives us the ability to share in the blessings you hear.”

  Abbey smiled, knowing the beautiful woman was sending her the calm that she needed to accept her men’s love and give them her own. She couldn’t deny her feelings or allow her fear to hold her back from taking the risk she knew would give her such a beautiful future with the two men who held her between them and loved her without hesitation.

  “Hunter?”

  “What, sweetheart?”

  “Clay?”

  “Yes, honey?”

  “I know it’s fast, but I can’t deny that I love you both with all my heart,” she whispered. “I want us to be together always. I want to have a future and a family with you.”

  Abbey watched as both men’s faces softened with the love they had for her. Their gentle eyes remained their original colors but there was a golden ring glowing mutely around the edge of the color. She understood that it meant that the men’s wolves were taking part in this special moment, and she felt something settle inside of her knowing that she truly accepted both sides of their natures.

  “For me this is not only fast, it’s a miracle,” she continued. “I guess the both of you are my miracle.”

  She leaned forward and rested against their chests, kissing their necks before biting down on them lightly. Their arms tightened around her and she couldn’t stop the laughter from bubbling up within her and spilling free.

  “Thank you for loving us, Abbey,” Hunter whispered against her temple.

  Clay couldn’t speak. To have this woman give her heart to them without reservation humbled him beyond belief. He just hoped they could always make her feel just as loved and cherished as she made them feel.

  “Clay,” Abbey called to him gently.

  “Yes, honey?”

  “You do.”

  Clay laughed with pure joy. Abbey wrapped her arms around his neck and held on as he swam backwards, pulling her on top of his body as he brought them to the stairs in the shallow end of the pool.

  Hunter helped her to stand, and the two men led her out of the pool, grabbing their clothes as they guided her to the back deck of their home. The men worked together to pull Abbey’s sodden clothes from her body. Her jeans were a little difficult to remove, but the men were patient, enjoying the view of each bit of naked skin that was revealed to them as they stripped her.

  Abbey’s desire for them ratcheted up with each kiss they bestowed upon her body. By the time she was completely naked, she could barely stand. Her desire for them made her knees weak.

  “Help me,” she whispered, reaching out to them.

  Clay swooped her up into his arms while Hunter grabbed all of their clothes and slid open the glass slider of their home. He threw their clothing into the kitchen sink and quickly ran up the stairs to the bedroom that would be shared by the three of them for the rest of their lives. Clay and Abbey were right by his side as he made his way down the hallway and toward their room.

  Abbey reached out to hold Hunter’s hand and pulled him along with her and Clay as she was carried into the master bedroom. She couldn’t stand to be separated from him, and she knew the men had to be feeling her need to be with them both as they stood her beside the massive bed and pressed their bodies against hers.

  “I like your home,” she told them, looking around the bedroom and seeing the deep mahogany furniture and the dark
blue and light blue of the curtains and bedding. Everything made her feel calm and comforted. She wouldn’t change a thing.

  “It’s our home, Abbey,” Clay corrected her. “You can change anything you want. We want you to be happy with how it’s decorated. You can add anything you want. If you need us to expand the house or change the rooms, you just have to let us know. We want you to be comfortable.”

  “How many bedrooms does it have?”

  “There are six bedrooms including this one,” Hunter answered for them both.

  “Wow! That’s a lot of bedrooms,” Abbey gasped.

  “One bedroom for each baby,” Clay whispered, kissing her gently.

  “Clay, we have to talk about that,” Abbey cautioned him.

  “Okay, honey,” Clay told her, smiling. “No pressure. But we know we’ll be having at least two. We saw our daughter and our son.”

  “Yeah, we did,” Abbey whispered, blushing slightly.

  “By the Fates, you’re adorable,” Hunter told her, laughing.

  “Don’t laugh at me, Hunter Stewart,” Abbey warned him, leaning forward and pressing against his chest.

  “Never, sweetheart,” he promised. “I love the blush on your face. And you know what else?”

  “What?”

  “I’m going to love putting it there often over the years.”

  Abbey sighed heavily as she leaned back and looked up at him before turning to face Clay, unable to keep another blush from filling her face when she saw the way he was looking at her. “Let me guess. You’re going to love making me blush, too.”

  “Absolutely.”

  “I’m doomed,” she groaned.

  “No, baby. You’re loved,” Hunter told her, laughing.

  “Do you think I can have a room to set up as an office?”

  “There’s a study downstairs next to the kitchen,” Clay told her, smiling. “Hunter and I designed it for you.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “When we were planning the house, we both had a dream about what it should look like. That’s when we saw the garden, the pool, the study, and the bedrooms,” Clay explained.