by Dia Cole
As we stepped out into the hallway, Liam and Mason stopped in the middle of what looked like a heated argument and rushed to Havana’s side.
Mason grabbed her hand. “You must be famished. Can I make you something to eat?”
Liam pushed him away. “Why don’t you make her food while I give her a tour of the lodge?”
The doctor gritted his teeth. “I was planning on giving her a tour after I’ve made her lunch.”
Havana’s wide-eyed gaze ping-ponged between them.
Trying to stifle a laugh, I held up my hand. “Enough. I’ll be escorting Ms. James, to her room where she can relax and take a hot shower.”
“That'd be amazing,” she said, stepping around the other males.
Their crestfallen expressions were almost comical.
Havana looked back into the infirmary. “I guess all my stuff is scattered in the snow by the cabin.”
“I can go get your things,” Liam offered, looking like an overeager puppy.
Havana's gaze brightened. “You'd do that for me?”
“I’d do anything for you,” Liam said, clasping her hand.
“As would I,” Mason declared, grabbing her other hand.
Rolling my eyes, I said, “Liam, go get Havana's things. Mason, go prepare something for her to eat.”
The males nodded and strode with us down the hallway to the elevator. Both males practically hung off her arms as we traveled up in the small steel box.
I sighed heavily. It was both a blessing and a curse that we males were instinctively driven to serve the needs of our Alpha female.
After promising Havana they would see her soon, Liam and Mason exited on the first floor. Havana and I continued up to the second.
Her eyes nearly bugged out of her head when we stepped out of a hidden door within a spacious walk-in closet. “What is this place?” She reached out and touched one of the dozens of shimmery designer gowns.
The cloying scent of roses clinging to the dresses made my nose wrinkle. “This is one of Tasha’s vacation homes and these are her things.”
Havana snatched her hand back as if burned. “I don’t want to wear her clothes.”
I stifled the impulse to nod approvingly. “I’m sure we can find you something else. Come.” I waved her through the gold-hued bathroom and into the bedroom.
Havana stopped short, her gaze fixed on the life-size portrait of Tasha hanging over the king bed. The artist had captured the blonde female’s stunning beauty along with the wild, unhinged look in her yellow eyes.
“Meet Tasha Digoski,” I said, flashing Havana a bitter smile.
Havana gasped. “I know her. She’s Mira’s mother.”
Surprised that Havana had met Tasha and lived to tell the tale, I could only nod.
Havana’s eyes narrowed. “Nathan left me for her.” She paused and let out a brittle-sounding laugh. “Well, I guess the truth is that he was cheating on her with me.”
Even though it wasn’t my place to get in the middle of Alpha politics, I had to set her straight. “Doubtful. Nathan was Tasha’s consort until Mira was born. As soon as she realized the baby was an Alpha, she tried to murder her. Nathan stopped her, offering Tasha anything to save Mira’s life. Since Tasha had long coveted Nathan’s position on the Council, she made him a deal. The Council seat and his eternal servitude for letting the child live. I can assure you Nathan has no warm feelings for Tasha.”
Havana blinked and took a minute to process my words. “She was at his house the night he broke up with me. He acted so cold when he told me to leave and never contact them again, but when I think back on it, he wasn’t acting like himself.”
Without trying, I glimpsed Havana’s memories of that night. The Alpha male had clearly been scared out of his mind. “Nathan was probably worried that Tasha would discover your relationship. If she had, she would’ve killed you on the spot. Nathan ended your relationship to save your life.”
Tears filled Havana’s eyes as she gazed back up at the picture. “I didn’t know. I hate—hated him for how he treated me.”
Congratulations, asshole. She’s back in love with the Alpha, my inner voice chided. Now she’ll never be mine.
Havana jerked her head up. “I’m not back in love with him. I simply understand better what happened. If he truly loved me, he would’ve told me the truth about her and about the Lykos.”
I felt my face redden at the fact she’d read my mind. I’ll have to better guard my thoughts. Needing to escape the sight of Tasha and her nauseating rose scent, I led Havana out of the bedroom down the hall into a more masculine space.
Havana inhaled deeply as we walked into the room, her gaze taking in the dark mahogany furniture and oversize four-poster king bed. “This smells like Nathan.”
“Yes, it was his bedroom. Tasha hasn’t let anyone stay in here since he left. I thought you might like this room.” And I thought if you’re surrounded by the scent of the Alpha, I’ll be able to resist you.
She flashed me a knowing look that told me she’d read my mind.
Clearing my throat, I showed her the large bathroom.
She moaned at the sight of the walk-in shower that was so large it took up an entire wall. Her hand went to the belt of her robe.
I sucked in my breath anticipating another glimpse of her body. I want her so much.
Havana whirled around, her face flushed. “I want you too, Gabriel.” She shimmied out of the robe and I forgot to breathe.
Fuck. She was so beautiful. Her breasts were the perfect size, just big enough to fit in my hands. The tempting strip of hair between those long legs that seemed to go on forever made my shaft throb.
“Please, Gabriel,” she begged.
Her intoxicating scent clouded my mind. My hands traced the underside of her breasts before I could get control.
“No.” I shook my head. “There’s shampoo and soap in there. I’ll wait outside the room while you shower.” Not waiting for her response, I rushed back out into the bedroom and then sought refuge in the hallway.
Fuck. I knew it was just her impending heat making her proposition me like that, but it was getting harder and harder to resist her pull. What if you didn’t? an insidious voice inside my head asked. What if you gave her what she asked for?
I shuddered. Lust burned all rational thought from my brain as I fantasized all the ways I’d take her. I’ll give her such pleasure she’ll claim me as her own. No! That can't happen. By some force of will, I kept myself in the hallway. Minutes or hours later, Liam and Mason joined me.
The doctor carried a tray of pasta, fruit, and soda while Liam held Havana’s duffel bag in one beefy hand.
“She’s taking a shower,” I said, refusing to leave my post by the door. “I’ll make sure she gets those when she’s done.”
Mason set down the tray of food and glared at me with far too much impertinence for a male who’d never had to fight for his life. “I’ll wait until she gets out.”
“Me too,” rumbled Liam.
“Suit yourse—” I broke off when a pain-filled cry rang out. “Havana!”
I flung open the door and the three of us rushed inside.
“She’s not here,” Liam shouted, looking around the bedroom.
“The bathroom,” I yelled, rushing toward the scent of sandalwood that hung in the steamy air. I flung open the bathroom door and my heart stopped.
Havana lay writhing on the tile floor of the shower. Catching sight of me she moaned, “Gabriel, I need you. It hurts.” The hand she held between her legs told me all I needed to know.
We need to leave.
“Havana!” Mason cried trying to step by me and open the glass door.
“No.” I grabbed his arm in a death grip and dragged him back.
“Is she hurt?” Liam demanded, trying to force his way into the bathroom.
I pushed both males out of the bathroom into the bedroom. “No. Well, technically yes. She’s in heat.”
Havana let out
another cry that sliced through me like a jagged blade.
“She’s in pain,” Dr. Obvious stated, thrusting a hand through his hair. “We can’t let her suffer like that.”
Liam wore a look of helpless frustration. “How do we help her?”
A solution popped into my mind. I looked over at Mason. “We can knock her out again. Do you have more of that sedative you gave her in the cabin?”
The blond male frowned. “Given that a small amount put her out for days, I wouldn’t advise giving her another dose. She may not wake at all next time.”
Great. Well that option is out. “Then mating is the only thing that will relieve her pain.”
“I volunteer to help her,” Liam declared, marching to the door.
Mason growled. “I don’t think so.” He darted in front of Liam.
Liam swung his arm and sent Mason flying into a mahogany dresser. Then he reached for the bathroom doorknob.
No. She’s mine. Teeth bared in aggression, I raced across the bedroom and grabbed Liam’s arm. Wrenching the limb behind his back, I threw him face-first into the door.
The giant threw his head back slamming me in the forehead. “You want her for yourself, brother?”
Yes. “No.” What am I doing? Shaking off the stars dancing in my line of vision. I released Liam. As I backed away from the giant, I glimpsed all three of us in the mirror hanging on the wall. With our eyes glowing and lips peeled back from our teeth, each of us looked ready to tear the others apart for the chance to mate with the female. Shit. It’ll get bloody unless…she chooses. Female’s choice was the status quo in Winterhaven and it should be in our new faction too. “Havana will have to choose between us.”
Liam winced, likely thinking of all the times females had chosen another over him.
“What?” Mason asked, getting to his feet.
I cleared my throat knowing I’d probably regret this for the rest of my likely short life. But fuck, the female was in pain and Nathan wasn’t around. Mason was right. We can’t let our Alpha female suffer. “Havana will choose between the three of us. The chosen male will mate with her and the other two males must not interfere. Understood?”
“Yes,” Liam and Mason said in unison.
The bathroom door crashed open.
We all turned our gazes to the mesmerizing sight of Havana standing naked in the doorway.
19
Havana
All three men stared at me slack-jawed as I clung to the doorframe for dear life.
“Help me,” I panted. I brought my fist to my mouth to muffle a cry of pain as my lower belly cramped and my core spasmed with need. My knees gave out with no warning, but somehow Gabriel caught me.
“I told you you’d know when the heat hit, princess,” he said with a crooked smile.
I moaned in agony. Never in my life had I experienced such unyielding lust. My sex burned, my skin felt so sensitized it could melt right off my flesh. “Please,” I begged rubbing my thighs together seeking relief from the torment.
He carried me to the oversize king bed and set me on the soft velvet comforter. Tension thrummed through his body as he stepped away from me. “Which of us do you want to mate with?” He motioned between himself and the other males.
My vision was tinged in red as I looked over the men.
Liam’s muscular chest rose and fell rapidly as he watched me with a mixture of hope and anxiety in his dark green gaze. If I chose the gentle giant who’d sworn to protect me, I’d be his first woman.
Mason stood next to him, his beautiful blue eyes glinting with passion and desire. The sexy doctor would do anything to make me happy. Anything. And I’d already had a taste of how he could pleasure me. I licked my lips in eager anticipation.
Dragging my gaze from Mason, I focused on the man in black. Gabriel. He stood stiffly, his one dark eye fixed on the door as if he was getting ready to bolt. But I wasn’t fooled. I’d read his mind. He wanted me to be his. And I wanted him to be mine.
The men seemed to hold their collective breaths as I pretended to deliberate.
Suddenly, a maelstrom of heat tore through my body. With a cry, I fell back on the bed arching in pain. “All of you,” I gasped. “I want all of you.”
The men became statues.
“She wants us all?” Liam asked in a confused voice.
“Yes. All of you,” I screamed.
Mason let out a strained laugh. “Well, I’m willing to share, if you are.”
“That’s not how it’s done,” Gabriel chided. “One male to one female. You know the rules.”
“Tasha’s rules,” Liam spat. “She made them so no female could be more powerful or more protected than her. Females in other factions mate with more than one male.”
“True,” Gabriel said, slowly turning his gaze back to me. “So, all three of us?”
“Yes,” I gasped. Another wave of heat crashed into me. “Someone get over here now!” At that point, I would’ve screwed the freaking zombie professor if it would’ve stopped the pain.
Liam fumbled with his fly. “I’m coming, beautiful.”
Gabriel slapped the big man in the chest. “You’ll split her apart with that shit. Let one of us go first and get her ready for you.”
“You can go,” Mason said to Gabriel. He added in a low voice, “I, uh, just took care of myself downstairs.”
What does a girl have to do to get fucked around here? I moaned, rubbing my clit furiously, but no matter how I worked myself, I couldn’t come.
“I got you, princess,” Gabriel said, approaching the bed.
Finally. I reached out for him with clawing hands and dragged him on top of me. “I need—I need.” I couldn’t get the words out. I frantically tore at his pants needing his skin on mine so badly I could taste blood.
Pushing my hands away, he freed his long, pulsing length.
I almost wept in relief. “Please!”
He brushed his thick cock back and forth against my swollen folds. Then he claimed my mouth in a possessive kiss.
Desperation tore through me. I bit his lip hard. No kissing. No foreplay. No teasing. Lust twisted my insides. “Get inside me,” I screamed, digging my nails into his tight ass.
He gripped my hips and entered me with one thrust.
The feel of his heat sliding through my wet channel was just what my body craved. “Yes, yes!” I cried, arching up off the bed.
He thrust in and out, his thick length filling me perfectly.
“Harder!” I wrapped my legs around his waist, urging him on.
He pounded me into the mattress with savage intensity.
It was everything I craved. Everything I needed. The tension inside me ratcheted higher and higher. “Don’t stop!”
He pistoned his hips, electricity sparking through me with each frenzied thrust.
“Oh, God!” Half out of my mind, I was dimly aware of him reaching between our bodies and finding my clit.
A violent orgasm tore through me, shaking every bone in my body.
Bellowing my name, Gabriel came in jerking spasms that bathed my core in his seed.
Unable to control myself, I came again and again until my vision went white. As I trembled with the aftershocks, the grinding need relented. I let out a shuddering breath and clung to his sweat-slicked back. “Thank you.”
He pushed up on his elbows and looked down at me. His one dark eye still glinted with passion. “Anytime, princess.” He leaned down and kissed me. “That was incredible.”
I could feel the truth in his words and in the deep satisfaction that radiated from him.
I want this man for now. For always. Some primitive instinct made me whisper, “You’re mine,” against his lips.
He jerked back as if I'd slapped him. Then he studied my face with some unnamed emotion flashing in his intense gaze. “How I want that to be true. But I can’t be yours.”
Disappointment thrummed through me, easing only when he deepened the kiss, turning it into something
hot and wild. “Oh, yes.” More. I needed more.
His cock hardened as my inner walls spasmed around him.
I moaned, readying for another delicious ride when Gabriel surprised me by pulling out.
While I blinked at him in confusion, he grabbed my hips, flipped me over and pulled me up on my hands and knees. Then he entered me again in a delicious spine-tingling thrust of his hips.
I let out a shocked moan and stared into the lust-filled gazes of Liam and Mason. How could I have forgotten about them?
The men stood a few feet from the bed.
Mason’s eyes were bright with longing as he watched Gabriel take me.
Liam had pulled out his cock and was stroking it.
My mouth dropped open when I saw its size. Holy hell.
As if sensing my interest in the others, Gabriel grabbed a handful of my hair and yanked my head back possessively. My back arched into the muscles of his smooth bronze chest. “Don’t forget about me.”
“Never!” I panted as his thrusts grew wilder. “But you need to learn to share.” I motioned Liam over. “Touch me,” I gasped, offering my breasts to him.
He looked over my shoulder at Gabriel, as if for approval, and then approached the bed. Reaching out, he cupped my breasts.
Gabriel’s thrusts rocked my nipples in and out of his hands.
I shuddered as Liam clamped them between his fingers. “God, that feels so good. More!”
Liam leaned down and took one of my nipples into his mouth. Then he suckled the sensitive peak.
The combined sensation of Gabriel thrusting and Liam sucking threw me right into an erotic abyss. I screamed as pleasure short-circuited my mind.
Gabriel thrust one more time and exploded inside me.
I orgasmed again—every muscle in my body tightening and releasing. Slowly, I grew aware of the fact that Gabriel had slipped out of my body and Liam sat on the bed holding me.
