Once Forgotten Twice Loved

by Bryce Evans

  ‘Brother, she is beautiful. Look at her, but there is so much we don’t know about our mate,’ Larsen said.

  ‘Yes, I know, but tonight we will try to get all the questions we have answered. Tonight she becomes our mate,’ Larken spoke without saying a word. They both knew that Ash was their true mate. After one last look, they both turned around and walked back downstairs.

  When Larken and Larsen walked into the kitchen, Jonas was up pouring coffee into cups that were sitting on the table. They sat down, sliding their fingers through their hair.

  “Thanks,” Larken muttered as Jonas poured him a hot cup of coffee. When Jonas sat down, they all looked at Nash, who had his head down and was staring at the table. Jonas asked the question nobody wanted to ask.

  “What is she, Nash? A wolf can’t jump like that and I’ve only seen male wolves with that type of strength.”

  After a few minutes of silence, Nash spoke. “I don’t know what she is. Ash doesn’t know what she is. I know that Ash has the strength of two wolves, maybe more, and she can jump like nothing I’ve ever seen. Ever since we were little, people knew we were different. One security guard at the orphanage would badger us and tell us that he was going to call the government and they would experiment on Ash. My wolf had yet to come out, but Ash was always strong and could jump across things. We watched a sci-fi movie about aliens and the government was experimenting on them. Ash got it in her head that if the government found out about her or me then they would experiment on us.”

  “Did the people at the orphanage know what Ash was?” asked Larken.

  “No. They were cruel people and if they could scare us, they did. The security guard that said that to us was there the night the orphanage had watched the movie too. He had seen how Ash looked when he said it and ever since then he would torture us.

  “She won’t use her strength unless someone she loves is in danger. She used it once when we were running away from the orphanage. We were jumped on the way from the store one night and they tried to take what money we had left. They started wailing on me and tried to grab Ash. God knows what they would have done to her, but she beat the shit out of them. The ones that had me got scared and ran. Ash got scared they would tell someone so we packed up and left the city.”

  Nobody spoke, letting what Nash said sink in. “A new species is what she is. She may not be the only one. You know I’ve seen a lot of different type of Weres, but I’ve never seen anyone with that type of strength. She has fangs, too. We know she isn’t a Vampire, but she may be half. I don’t know. So let’s keep this under our hats, boys,” Larken said as he leaned back in his seat.

  “Nothing wrong with being different,” Jonas pointed out.

  “She will want to run now. I know her, Alpha. She will be scared that you know,” Nash said as he stood and went to look out the window.

  “She isn’t going anywhere.” Larken let everyone sitting at the table who might have thought different know.

  Larsen got up from the table and walked over to the refrigerator. “We need to cook since the girls are all gone.”

  “I’m starving, what do you have?” Jonas asked as he got up and went to the refrigerator.

  “Can you cook, Jonas?” Larsen asked as he smiled at his old friend.

  “You damn well know I can,” answered Jonas with a growl.

  Larsen turned around, chuckling, and pulled out some steaks that were in the refrigerator. “Look down in the bottom drawer and you will find potatoes. Let’s start cooking. My mate will be hungry when she wakes up.” Larken and Pelton got up to help cook.

  Nash stood at the window thinking about what to say to Ash when she woke up.

  Jonas touched Larken on the arm and pointed at Nash, staring out the window. Larken could see the tension in his Lieutenant’s back. Larken walked over and stood beside Nash. “We will get through this, cousin. She will be okay. I won’t let anyone touch her. I protect what’s mine.”

  “I know, Alpha, but I just want Ash to be happy for once and not scared to live her life. I could tell she was coming around with you being her mate. Now this…”

  Larken patted Nash on the back. “You will worry yourself to death. Let me do the worrying about my mate, Nash. She will be taken care of.” Nash nodded and turned around and smiled as he watched a bunch of Alphas cooking in the kitchen. Jonas was at the grill cooking when they all stopped and looked up. They could hear Ash getting out of bed and then walk into the bathroom. They could hear the water running. Larken and Larsen both turned around and went upstairs to get their mate.

  Ash was washing her face, thinking about what to do next. She remembered Larsen picking her up and then she went to sleep. The feel of him was warm and soothing, but why would he act so loving to her? Ash was thinking that Larken and Larsen probably shared their women. “Not me,” Ash said aloud. She finished up and opened the door, and Larken and Larsen were standing in the bedroom. She seemed startled but narrowed her eyes at the two Alphas. Their sultry looks went straight to her sex. She had to look away for fear of reaching out to them. Ash wanted them both but knew that was impossible. Here it goes again with the magnetic pull. Who ever heard of sharing a mate? Ash didn’t know what wolves really did when they mated. Her only source of information came from Nash, and that information was limited at best.

  “How are you feeling, Ashland?” Larken asked softly.

  “Better thanks. Where am I?” Ash said tiredly.

  “In our home. We thought you would rest better here. Dinner is about done. Are you hungry?” asked Larken.

  Ash’s expression softened, but she was still worried that her secret would get out and they would come looking for her. Ash couldn’t move, she didn’t know what to do next.

  “Where is Nash?” Ash asked concerned, trying to change the subject and calm her libido down.

  “He’s downstairs worried about you,” Larken advised as he walked toward her. Ash’s heart began to beat faster as Larken walked in front of her and stopped. Larken reached down and ran his fingers through her hair. “What is it, Ash?” he asked.

  Larken’s fingers began to skim the sides of her face until his fingers touched her lips. His gaze locked with hers. It was as if time had stopped. Ash closed her eyes, feeling his soft touch against her face.

  “Look at me,” Larken demanded as Ash opened her eyes. Larken was staring into her deep green eyes. He leaned down closer to her. His tongue ran along the crease of her lips, causing Ash to gasp, giving Larken the opening he needed to kiss her. Larken pushed his tongue into her mouth, challenging her then he reached up and grabbed Ash’s head, pulling her closer to him. He turned her head the way he wanted it and continued to plunder her mouth.

  Ash gave back with the pent up hunger and passion that had been building inside her for a few days. Ash could feel her body going from warm to sizzling in a matter of seconds from each touch and kiss, feeling her nipples harden, and her breasts push against him. She could feel his erection press against her stomach. Ash was lost in his magical touch as she reached up and grabbed his hair, pulling him closer to her mouth.

  Ash didn’t realized that Larsen was still in the room until he gripped her hair, pulling her head back so he could look into her face. Her blood was burning. She was lost in the sensation of their touch.

  Larsen whispered in her ear, “You are mine, too, and I will have you.”

  Ash shivered, realizing that they planned to share her.

  Larsen nipped her ear, licking and kissing down her neck. Ash could feel her shirt being removed, as well as her bra. She was being tag teamed by the brothers in a lust-filled mating. Larken and Larsen would have continued the mating until they heard Jonas yell from downstairs.

  “Super is ready,” Jonas yelled.

  This brought Ash out of the sexual haze she was in. She stopped her actions and tensed up. She couldn’t believe she was making out with Larken and Larsen, two brothers who obviously wanted to share her. If given a few minutes, Ash thoug
ht she would have bedded both of the men. What a slut, Ash thought. I was just about to have sex with two Alphas, that were brothers. What are you doing, girl? You were letting them strip you naked. Damn, this has been the craziest two days ever.

  Ash cleared her throat, trying not to look Larken in the eyes. She knew she would get lost in those eyes and they would distract her again. Larsen still held her in his arms. She had her back to his chest and she stiffened as Larsen started kissing her neck again. She drew in a deep breath and stated, “I need to go,” Ash whispered with a shaky voice. Larsen had his hands on her breasts squeezing them oh so softly. Each time he squeezed, Ash could feel the heat burning all the way to her sex. She was so close to orgasm but knew that someone would probably come and get them, and she couldn’t take that chance.

  She tried pulling away, but the Wilder brothers were not having that and held her tighter. Larken looked down at her swollen lips. He covered her mouth, tasting her and loving the way she tasted. Larken released her lips when Jonas yelled again, “Hey, the steaks are going to get cold. Come on, we are hungry.”

  Ash pulled away, but this time the brothers let her win. “We will finish this later, Ash,” Larsen stated.

  Larken grabbed her shirt and bra off the floor and began to put her bra on, touching her as he did it. The little touches on the side of her breasts were killing her. Then Larken pulled her shirt on, buttoning it while staring into her eyes. Before Ash could walk out of the room, Larsen pulled her against him and covered her mouth with his. This man is wild and making me crazy. His kiss was filled with a need for wild sex. Ash moaned, trying to get control, but Larsen wasn’t having it. He continued to plunder her mouth with deep, passionate strokes. Ash was becoming wet just by their kisses. She knew now that she was in trouble, as she moaned into his mouth. If a kiss could bring her to her knees, what would the rest do to her?

  Larsen released her wet, swollen lips then placed a softer kiss to her forehead. “Nobody will come and look for you. Please say you will try. You are my mate, too, Ashland,” Larsen whispered.

  The look in his eyes got Ash’s attention and brought her emotions to the surface. She could see he cared about her. Ash smiled and nodded. She didn’t know what else to say. She was still scared to trust anyone and she was still upset that somebody would tell about her unique strength. Ash tried to move away from Larsen, but he held her hand as they walked out of the bedroom. It was as if he needed to just touch her, and she liked the feelings that his touch brought to her.

  ***

  No one said anything when Ash walked in the kitchen holding Larsen’s hand. Larken winked at Nash who smiled at Ash. “How are you feeling now, baby?” Nash asked.

  Ash looked over at Larsen, who was growling when he heard Nash call her baby.

  Ash narrowed her eyes at Larsen then jerked her hand away from him. Larsen didn’t know what to do. He couldn’t help the way he felt. She was his mate and he didn’t want another male touching her or calling her ‘baby.’

  Nash spoke before Ash slapped Larsen. He knew her and how she would react to the possessiveness Larsen was showing. “Ash, it’s okay. I don’t take offense to the growling. I understand what he means. He can’t help it. It’s his wolf telling him that someone else is calling his mate “baby.” I know this offends you, but it’s our nature. Please try to understand this.”

  Ash closed her eyes and took a deep breath, then released it, trying to calm her nerves. Larsen had pissed her off again just by growling at Nash for calling her baby. Larken came to stand behind her, rubbing her shoulders. His touch calmed her. Why was their touch doing this to me? The growling is going to drive me crazy. Larsen had her hand again, rubbing circles over the pulse point on her wrist. Wow, I’m going to melt. She knew that wolves had excellent hearing and they could smell scents through walls and doors. Ash knew they could scent that they aroused her. Thank God for Jonas.

  “Hungry, Ash?” Jonas smiled then winked at Ash. Jonas was getting everyone to leave Ash alone so she could eat before they embarrassed her more.

  “Yes, I’m starving, Jonas.” This got her mates’ attention. Larken left, getting her a steak and potato, placing it on a plate then putting it in front of her. Larsen reached over and got her a bowl, putting salad inside it then placed it in front of her.

  Ash watched as her mates scurried around the kitchen trying to put food in front of her. She couldn’t say anything but simply thanks to Larken and Larsen. She thought it was funny how they were trying to provide everything she wanted. It was sweet to see how they were acting. She smiled to herself, trying not to laugh. Well maybe the growling isn’t that bad, I guess.

  Pelton sat and stared at Ash, watching as her mates tended to her. He couldn’t get it out of his mind what she was. Finally, before he could stop himself, he asked, “Ash, do you remember anything from your childhood?”

  Ash looked up surprised.

  She wasn’t mad at Pelton for asking, but she didn’t know what to say. “I don’t remember anything except the day I walked into the orphanage. I don’t remember my parents. I was told that they found me wandering the streets of Atlanta when I was six years old. The day Nash arrived at the orphanage was also my first day.” Everyone in the room felt sorry for Ash. She had no one except Nash, who reached over and took her hand. He squeezed it then smiled at her.

  “It was the best day of my life, Ash. The day we became friends, because I don’t know how I would have gotten through it before I came here and found my family.” Larken and Larsen both smiled at what Nash said to Ash. They could tell it made her happy being friends with Nash, too. They looked at each other knowing that Nash saved Ash’s life, too. She didn’t have anyone. Or was someone looking for her too and she didn’t even know it?

  Larsen realized that he had to stop growling at Nash when it came to his mate. Ash needed Nash’s friendship. He knew now just how alone his mate was. Now he understood what his brother was trying to tell him about choices. He decided he would try harder to deal with Nash and Ash’s friendship.

  Ash smiled at Nash then picked up her fork and knife and started cutting into her steak. Jonas didn’t let too much time pass before he started in with another story. He made Ash laugh, which Larken and Larsen were truly grateful for.

  After the meal, Ash got up to help wash the dishes. “Nope, you are our guest and you will sit right there and relax.” Ash wanted to argue, but she knew that her mates wouldn’t allow her to lift a finger. My mates. Could this really be true and they actually care about me? Do I care about them? Yes, you do and you know it. The dishes were put away in the dishwasher and Jonas sat at the table with Ash and Pelton. Nash had excused himself to go and check on the lodge. He was head of security and needed to check in.

  Chapter Eight

  “Ash, can you tell me what kind of powers you have?” Pelton asked.

  “You make me sound like a super hero with super powers.”

  “Well, in a way you are. I’ve never seen someone jump that far or throw someone, much less two people, into a fence that hard.” Ash didn’t smile but looked down at her fingers. Larsen and Larken came and sat down at the table. Both reached out and picked up a hand.

  Ash smiled, loving the way they always touched her when she needed the comfort. “Don’t know. I can’t explain it and I researched it, but nothing ever came up on my strength or how I have fangs. I’ve never met anyone like me. Though I did meet a Vampire once while patrolling.”

  Larken and Larsen tensed up and looked at each other, but never asked her questions. They wanted her to continue talking. They needed to find out as much about their mate as they could before she shut down again.

  “He never tried to attack me, just looked at me like he felt something but never said anything. He just stopped and stared at me then released his fangs, which made me drop mine. He didn’t advance on me, only stared. He finally walked away and I never saw him again.”

  “But you said he looked at you like you were famili
ar in some way?” Pelton asked.

  “Well, he never said anything, but it was the feeling I got when he just stared at me. I don’t know what it was, but I guess you are right, he acted familiar to me, too.”

  “Maybe you were familiar to him or to his people. We can call Reece and see if he has any ideas.” Everyone groaned when Pelton brought up Reece.

  Ash looked around at everyone groaning. “What? Who is Reece?”

  “Well, baby, Reece is a Vampire and a big flirt. He runs the Clan here in this area. He comes by now and then to drink or to try to see my sister, Lilly. He says he is in love with her, but Lilly won’t give him the time of day. Reece is a friend, but he is a Vampire and he makes the wolves nervous,” Larken responded as he picked up Ash’s hand and kissed it.

  Ash blushed as he kissed her hand. It was so sweet and also spiked her arousal. Her scent perfumed the air, letting everyone know what she was feeling. Pelton and Jonas both looked at each other as they inhaled Ash’s scent.

  “Well, Jonas, if you will show me to my room, I think I will call it a day. We have a lot to do tomorrow.” Jonas and Pelton got up from the table and stopped in front of Ash. “Nobody will ever come and get you, Ash. You are family and we protect our family,” Jonas said as he and Pelton walked out of the kitchen.

  Ash’s hardened heart cracked a little more. These strong men did everything to show they cared. “I don’t deserve you.” Larken and Larsen looked up at Ash, who looked down at the table worried.

  “Yes you do, Ash. And we deserve you,” Larken said smoothly.

  Ash frowned, and placed her hand to the side of Larken’s face. “I’m trouble for you and Larsen. I will bring trouble to you and the pack. I don’t know if I can be a mate. I don’t know how.” Ash looked at Larken with tears in her eyes.