Once Forgotten Twice Loved

by Bryce Evans

  Nash ran and stood beside Reece. Nash knew that Ash recognized him, but she was still scared. She looked down at Lex, who was still lying on the ground, and then over to Larken and Larsen, who came to stand beside Ash. She immediately recognized Nash but never spoke. She couldn’t stop, but they were blocking her path. She didn’t want to hurt them. She only wanted the bad man to die so he could never hurt anyone again.

  “Ash, it’s okay, baby. Calm down. It’s over. The girls are safe,” Nash repeated.

  Ash looked back down at Lex then up at Larken again. She started pacing back and forth, as a caged tiger would do. She continued to watch Larken and Larsen then she would look back down to the ground at Lex.

  ***

  Jonas took the jogging pants that Levi Turner handed to him. “Thanks.” Kammy and Kerra were wrapped in a blanket sitting on the ground.

  Jonas looked over at Levi. “Did they find, Ash?”

  Kammy and Kerra looked up when they heard their uncle ask about Ash.

  “Where is she?” Kammy asked as she stood.

  “She is back at the house. They are trying—” Kammy took off running toward the house before Levi could finish speaking. Jonas and Kerra followed Kammy back into the woods.

  Ash was still pacing back and forth when Kammy ran into the clearing. She walked toward Ash. Nash held up his hand telling Kammy to stop. Kammy slowed but continued to walk toward Ash.

  “Ash?” Kammy muttered as she looked at Ash.

  Ash stopped pacing and stared at Kammy. “We are okay, Ash. You saved us.”

  Ash stared at Kammy then looked back at the ground where Lex was still laying. “Can I give you a hug?” Kammy asked Ash.

  Ash blinked then stood up straight. Ash was breathing loudly as she watched Kammy. Ash slowly walked toward Kammy. She fell to her knees and hugged Kammy to her. Ash started blowing her breath out and in. Trying to take in air before she passed out. Her eyes had returned to their original color. She hugged Kammy and ran her fingers through her hair. Kammy started rubbing circles on Ash’s back. “It’s okay now. We are safe,” Kammy repeated.

  “Ash?” Larken whispered calmly.

  Ash looked up and finally saw her mates and Nash. She got up off the ground and threw herself into Larken’s arms. She reached out and grabbed Larsen, pulling him into her side. Larsen kissed her cheek then her hand while he looked at her, checking for any harm that may have come to her.

  “My beautiful mate,” Larsen whispered in her ear. “I’m sorry, baby. I should have told you that I wasn’t upset with you, but I worry so much about you and it scared me. I love you, Ash.”

  Ash rubbed her nose into Larsen’s neck, inhaling his scent then repeating the same with Larken.

  “Shh. No more talking.”

  Nash laughed as he walked over to stand by Jonas.

  Ash heard someone clear their throat. She looked over at the man who had to be a vampire. He looked familiar, but Ash didn’t know who he was. Larken realized that Ash was staring at Reece.

  “Ash, this is my friend, Reece. The one I told you about. Remember we were calling him to come and help us try to find out about your family and what you were.” Ash looked up at Larken and listened to what he said.

  Ash finally realized that Larken had been bleeding. “You are hurt.”

  “No, baby, you didn’t hurt me.” Ash gasped as she put her hands up against her mouth, shocked at what she had done to her mate.

  “I hurt you, Larken. Please forgive me?”

  “Nothing to forgive. I shouldn’t have come up behind you like that. By the way, you hit hard.” Ash didn’t know if she should laugh or not. Larken rubbed his nose and laughed.

  “Sorry, baby,” she said sullenly. Larken grabbed Ash, hugging her to him.

  “Never say sorry for protecting us, baby.” Larken hugged Ash until he saw Reece step toward him.

  “Baby, this is Reece,” said Larken.

  “Yes, I’m sorry, Reece.” Ash stuck her hand out to shake Reece’s hand.

  Reece looked down at her hand, pausing a few seconds before he shook her hand. Reece looked down into Ash’s eyes, smiling. “You have your mom’s eyes.”

  Ash released Reece’s hand, narrowing her eyes and frowning at him. She stepped back as if Reece had slapped her.

  “Hold on, Ash. Listen to the man. He isn’t making fun of you,” Nash stated as he came to stand by Reece.

  “Ash, your mother was my sister, Ronica Ramsey, and her mate was your father. His name was Josh Peters, who was a tiger shifter.”

  Ash gasped, hearing her father’s last name was the same as hers. She put her hand up to her mouth, trying not to collapse to the ground.

  “You are my uncle? I have family?” Ash whispered.

  “Yes, Ash, you are my niece and I would have turned the world over if I would have known you were alive,” Reece said as he reached up and touched her face.

  Growling came from Larken and Larsen when Reece touched their mate.

  Ash couldn’t help but smile. “Sorry, but my mates don’t like it when anyone touches me.” Reece, Nash, and Jonas started laughing. Larken and Larsen pulled her closer to them. Right now, they wanted their mate with them. They had to touch her. Their wolves were close to the surface and were in protection mode. Not even an uncle could touch her right now.

  Ash tensed up when she heard the moans coming from Lex lying on the ground. He tried to move, but Nash reached down, grabbed his arms, and pulled them behind his back. Pelton and Reece’s team had walked into the clearing. Pelton handed Nash a pair of silver handcuffs and clamped them down hard on Lex’s hands. Lex hissed as the silver burned his hands.

  Pelton picked Lex up off the ground. His face hung low, trying to shake the pain away. He looked up and saw Ash glaring at him. He started growling, acting like he was about to change, when Kammy walked up to him and punched him in the face, knocking him out. Everybody got quiet and looked down at the young girl in surprise.

  “What? He deserved it.” Ash smiled at Kammy, and went and put her arm around her, turning her away from Lex. Pelton came closer to Kammy, staring at her. Kammy looked up at him and smiled. Pelton immediately felt a connection toward Kammy.

  Jonas walked over and put his arm around Kammy. “Let’s go, slugger.” Jonas pulled Kammy away from Pelton, walking her back through the trees.

  Everybody started walking back toward the vehicles. Pelton never moved but stared at Kammy as she walked away. She looked back over her shoulder and smiled back at Pelton as Jonas turned her head back around away from Pelton. “Keep walking, slugger,” Jonas said as he walked Kammy out of the woods and away from Pelton.

  Nash and Levi walked Lex out of the woods in handcuffs. When they got into the SUV, Larsen asked, “Jonas, I almost forgot, tell us what happened when you found Johnny?”

  Pelton laughed as he walked toward them. “He tore him limb from limb. Jonas threw parts of his wolf everywhere.”

  Jonas didn’t laugh. He held Kammy and Kerra closer to him in the SUV. “I told you what I was going to do to that wolf. His fate had already been decided.”

  Kammy leaned her head on her uncle’s shoulder. “Johnny deserved what he got. He was going to force me to mate with him. That man who called himself Alpha was going to let his men rape Kerra and the other girls. They said we were old enough to mate with them and give him pups so his pack would grow. He told us that our pack didn’t want us anymore and they gifted us to them, but I saw Johnny come in with that gun and shoot Mrs. Melton then us. He slapped me across the face when I told him he was evil.”

  Jonas started breathing harder when Kammy told them the story of what happened. His face turned red and he had his mouth clenched as he listened.

  “He said that Ash was going to be his mate and the mother to his pack. He was bat shit crazy,” Kammy finished. Everyone in the car burst out laughing because Kammy used the same words he used to describe Lex Mann. Jonas smiled then hugged Kammy closer, kissing the top of her head.


  “Jonas, I think you have a mini-me with that girl,” Larsen suggested.

  “You may be right, Larsen.” Jonas hugged his two nieces closer as they traveled back to the lodge.

  Chapter Thirteen

  The Alphas would meet tomorrow before the Valentine’s Day dance and decide the fate of Lex Mann. Larken knew that since he didn’t kill anyone he would be sent to the prison for werewolves. Never allowing him to change again into his wolf would be torture enough for Lex.

  When they returned to the lodge, Larken’s sisters were waiting. When Ash walked into the door, they rushed to her side. Lilly hugged Ash first then it was like a parade where everyone hugged and shook Ash’s hand. Ash was very forgiving of her new sisters, but she was so tired not only from the darts that were used but also from the amount of energy she used to fight Lex. Larken grabbed his mate then informed the pack that they could talk to her tomorrow at the dance, but right now she needed rest. The pack dispersed except Lilly. She hugged Ash one more time and whispered in her ear, “I pray that you will find it in your heart to forgive us. Thank you for making my brothers the happiest I’ve ever seen them.” Lilly walked away before Ash could respond.

  Larken and Larsen made Ash eat something then take a shower, where they washed her then put her in the bed to sleep. They wanted her rested for the dance, so they wouldn’t make love to her until she was back to one hundred percent. Ash assured her mates that she was all right, but they wouldn’t hear of it. They made her go to bed with them and sleep until later. Ash agreed but argued about it anyway. Larsen pulled her into his chest while Larken rubbed her back until her eyes closed and she fell into a deep sleep.

  Ash’s eyes slowly opened. She could feel Larsen’s erection poking against her back. She loved the feel of him. He had his arm under her head and his other arm was draped over her. Larken wasn’t in the bed. He had mentioned earlier that he was behind on getting everything arranged for the dance. He would have to go and grovel to his sister, Lilly, for her help.

  “How are you feeling baby?” Larsen asked. He voice was rusty and delicious sounding.

  “Great. How are you?” Ash asked as she turned her body around so she could face her mate.

  “I’m fantastic now that you are in my bed and safe,” Larsen responded as he reached out and touched his mate.

  “If I had my way you would always be in my bed,” Larsen added as he winked at her.

  “Touch me,” Ash pleaded as she placed Larsen’s hand on her breast. Larsen didn’t need any more encouragement. He reached out and caressed her breast as she hissed out the air she had been holding. She shivered from the small touch. He teased her breasts, sending her body into a heated flame of fire. She had been without her mates’ touch for far too long.

  Larsen’s hand was trembling as he touched his mate.

  “What’s wrong?” Ash held his face in concern.

  “It’s just…you were almost taken from me. I can’t live without you.”

  Ash smiled and kissed his cheek. She looked up into his eyes. “You won’t have to,” she whispered to him.

  Larsen pushed Ash back and crawled on top of her, using his knees to push her legs apart. He couldn’t wait any more. He pushed his way inside. Ash was wet and waiting for him. She grabbed onto his shoulders as he began to press in and out of her. The friction of him sliding in and out caused an erotic pull that set her body on fire. His kisses were soft. She moaned in his mouth as she reached out and squeezed his ass. This simple touch ignited Larsen to go wild. He kissed her roughly and deeply, licking and sucking her tongue in her mouth. He grabbed her hands, raising them above her head, holding them hostage so she couldn’t move them. He wanted to tie her up but that would have to wait for another time. He couldn’t stop now even if he wanted to.

  Ash couldn’t help but move with him. She met him stroke for stroke. He used one hand to pin her hands down and used his other hand to massage her breasts. He squeezed and pulled them until they elongated. She groaned with each pull. He lowered his head and took a juicy nipple in his mouth, sucking hard on it. Heat traveled down her body until she exploded. He changed the angle above her and pushed into her more.

  “Damn, you are so tight and it makes me want to do wicked things to you, baby,” Larsen growled in her ear.

  Ash loved it when they talked dirty to her and felt her cream running down her thighs. He was hitting her in the right spot, causing her to come undone again. Shivering as her body arched into him. She knew she would never get enough of him or Larken. Larsen growled as he pushed two more times and emptied himself into his mate.

  Ash trembled as Larsen laid his head on her chest. He lifted his body so he wasn’t hurting her. They laid there, calming their bodies before Larsen looked up and smiled down at his mate.

  “You are so beautiful.”

  “And you are the most gorgeous man I’ve ever met; well, it is a tie between you and your brother.”

  Larsen’s smile widened. “Just remember I’m the better looking brother.” Ash giggled as Larsen arched his brow up and down.

  “You make me feel safe and home.”

  “You are home, baby. You are home.” Ash and Larsen stayed that way until her stomach growled. He looked up at her, grinning. “It’s time to feed you. Come on, let’s go eat.”

  Ash wanted to lay in bed, but her stomach growled again.

  They took a shower together and quickly got dressed. Ash had picked a pretty dress to wear for the dance. She hardly ever wore a dress so she thought Nash would get a kick out of it. She walked back into the bedroom to find Larken sitting on the bed waiting for her. Ash immediately stopped and looked at her mate. He was dressed in a black suit with a green tie. Her dress was green, too. They matched. Her eyes slowly moved up and down his body. She could still see his muscles outlined through the suit. Just looking at him aroused her.

  Larken sniffed the air, smelling his mate’s arousal permeating the air. He stood and stalked over to his mate. “You are beautiful,” Larken said as he reached out and caressed her cheek.

  Ash smiled as her mate continued to touch and stroke her face. “You make me feel beautiful. Do you like my dress?”

  “Oh yes. I will like it even more when I see it laying on the floor.” Larken continued to stroke Ash’s face then touched the side of her breast. Larken watched as Ash closed her eyes and moaned. Larken had to have a taste of his mate. Her scent was driving him wild. This dress hugged her in the right places and made Larken hard just by looking at her. She shivered as he ran his hands up her thighs then leaned over and kissed her softly on the lips.

  They stood with their eyes closed, listening to their hearts calm down from the high of each other’s touches. Ash smiled up at him, cupping his jaw turning it upward. “I love you.”

  Larken opened his eyes, smiling tenderly at his mate. “I’ve waited a long time to hear those three words.”

  Ash giggled. “You haven’t known me that long.”

  “I’ve waited a life time for you.”

  Ash grabbed Larken and hugged him to her. “Thank you.”

  Before Larken could say anything, Larsen walked through the door. Ash looked up at him and smiled. He was dressed exactly the same as Larken. She noticed something attached to his jacket. It appeared to be some type of pin. Ash walked over and kissed Larsen softly on the mouth. “You look great.”

  “Thanks, baby.” Larsen held her arms out gazing at her body. “But you look gorgeous.”

  “Why thank you, kind sir. What is that on your jacket?”

  “This is our family crest. You will get one, too. I would have brought it, but it wouldn’t go with the dress.”

  Ash laughed. “It’s beautiful. I like the colors.”

  Larken walked over and swatted Ash on the ass. “Okay, let’s go, baby. We don’t want to be late.”

  Ash walked out hand and hand with her mates. They got into the elevator and the elevator went up one floor. When the door opened, Ash backed up as the wo
man who propositioned Larken a couple days ago walked into the elevator. She was dressed to kill. She had on a low-cut dress draped with a fur coat. The woman took a second look at Larken and Larsen and pushed her breasts out further. Ash thought she looked like a snake about to strike.

  “Well, well, what do we have here? You two look good enough to eat.” She reached out and was about to rub her hand up Larsen’s arm. Ash reached out and grabbed her hand, twisting it back. “Ouch,” the woman screamed.

  “If you touch either one of them, I will rip it off. Do you get me?” The woman stood there in disbelief. Her mouth was still open when the elevator door opened up to the Reception area. Larken put his hand on Ash’s lower back, urging her out of the elevator. Larsen looked back at the lady who had her mouth still open.

  “She has a thing for people who wear fur coats. Pisses her off.” The lady looked down at her coat then back up at Ash who was walking away with Larken and Larsen.

  Larken and Larsen both started laughing as soon as they got out of ear distance from the lady. “Baby.”

  “Well, if nobody can touch me, then that goes for you two.” Ash narrowed her eyes at her mates, challenging them to disagree with her.

  Jonas took that moment to appear. “Well, look at the best looking woman on earth.” Ash shook her head at Jonas and laughed.

  “You say that now, Jonas, but just wait. Your mate could be standing right behind those doors just waiting for you,” said Ash. Jonas smiled at her, walked over, and kissed her on the cheek. Before Larken and Larsen said anything, Ash yelled, “He doesn’t count.” Their look of surprise made her smile. Larken and Larsen walked up beside Ash. Larsen spanked her on the ass then whispered in her ear, “Everybody counts, luv.”

  Jonas opened the door to country music playing. People mingled around the room talking, and in the center of the room was a dance floor. Twinkling lights hung from the ceiling. Hearts were draped on every table. It looked like a fairytale. It was beautiful. Larken pulled Ash to a corner table and both men whispered in her ear, “Happy Valentine’s Day, baby.” Larken pulled a black velvet box out of his pocket and handed it to her. Ash looked down at the box. Her hands were shaking as she pulled the top open. The biggest diamond she had ever seen was twinkling at her. Ash’s heart stopped when she looked up and watched as Larken and Larsen had gotten down on one knee. “Ashland Peters, will you marry us?”