Protecting the Pack

by Tabitha Conall

  “Maybe a little,” Ben said.

  Chris fought a smile as he disentangled himself. “Shh. Never admit fear in the face of the enemy.”

  “Enemy?” Alex smacked Chris’ chest. “I’m not the enemy.”

  Chris lowered himself down on the other side of Alex. “That remains to be seen. How do you feel about anal sex?”

  She pushed up onto her elbows, her gaze sliding from one mate to the other. “That’s what this is about?”

  “I told you we should be afraid,” Ben said.

  Chapter 10

  “I like it,” Alex said.

  “What?” Both men looked at her.

  Alex licked her lips. “Done right, it feels really good.”

  Chris put his hand on her lower abdomen. His hand was so big his thumb sat near her belly button while his pinkie settled into her curls. “So if we wanted to both be inside you, one in front and the other in back, you’d be okay with that?”

  “Well. I’ve never done that. But we could try it,” she said.

  “We’d make it good for you.” Ben ran one hand over her breasts.

  “I know you will.” She batted away their hands. “But right now, you have a show to put on for me.”

  Ben felt a pressure low in his pelvis at the thought of what was to come.

  “A show?” Chris said.

  “Yes.” Alex pushed herself out from between them and sat down at the foot of the bed. Her fingers brushed the shoulder where both her mates had marked her. “Go ahead. Make our circle complete.”

  As Ben reached for Chris, Chris grabbed him. They pulled each other until their bodies lay flush, chest to chest, thigh to thigh. Ben gripped Chris’ neck and held him steady for another kiss even deeper and longer than the one a few minutes before.

  Chris’ hands rubbed Ben all over. Just like the night before, it felt different from how women touched him—harder, rougher, quicker. Ben squeezed Chris’ ass. He loved the feel of Chris’ muscles, all that hard flesh pressing against him.

  “Want to try something different?” Chris said in between kisses.

  “Like what?”

  “We could try going down on each other.”

  What would it be like to have another man’s cock in his mouth? He didn’t know but he wanted to find out. “Yeah.”

  As they moved into a sixty-nine, he saw Alex sitting with her legs cocked up and spread. Her fingers moved gently over her pussy.

  “I’m not sure masturbation should be allowed,” Ben said. He straddled Chris’ chest.

  “You can’t fault me. Seeing you two together is amazingly hot.”

  Chris gripped Ben’s cock and stroked it. “I’d like to watch you play with yourself. Just don’t finish until after we’re done, or we won’t see it.”

  Chris had a point. Watching her right now was really sexy. Seeing her making herself come could be amazing.

  Ben held Chris’ cock around the base. He’d seen enough porn movies to have a good idea what to do. But he hesitated for a second. This was a guy’s cock he was putting in his mouth.

  Not just any guy. Chris. His mate.

  Before he could over think it any more, Ben opened his mouth and engulfed Chris’ cock.

  Chris moaned. “Oh, God.”

  It wasn’t so bad. It wasn’t bad at all. Ben sucked like he’d seen on the movies, up and down. Chris’ cock felt warm and hard but still soft, the skin somewhat delicate. A little pre-cum squirted out, tasting salty and tangy at the same time.

  Chris took Ben’s cock into his mouth. Ben had to keep from biting down at the amazing sensation. Again, it felt different from when women had gone down on him. Like Chris knew exactly what a man would like.

  The two of them sucked each other on and on. Ben felt his cock getting harder and knew he wouldn’t be able to hold on much longer. He lifted his head, resting his cheek against Chris’ leg. “Unless you want me to mark the inside of your thigh, we should probably change positions.”

  Chris’ laughter vibrated around Ben’s cock. Then Chris pulled him out of his mouth. “Yeah, let’s switch. We can do like last night.”

  Ben got onto his knees to turn around while Chris pushed up onto his side.

  “But one of these days, I want to come in your mouth,” Chris said.

  The words made Ben’s cock jump. “Right back atcha.” Ben lay down face to face with Chris, not even hesitating to take Chris’ cock in his hand.

  Chris did the same, stroking him with that sure rhythm guaranteed to blow his mind. They kissed.

  Behind him, Alex made soft little noises like she was getting close.

  “Alex,” he said. “Don’t come until we can watch.”

  “I’m trying,” she said.

  Chris’ breath sped up as Ben jacked him off. Ben could feel his own heartbeat getting faster and faster. They gazed into each other’s eyes.

  “Not long now.” Chris’ voice sounded unsteady.

  Ben kissed Chris again, no tongue, just a hard press of lips. Then he reared back and sunk his teeth into Chris’ shoulder near Alex’s mark. A second later, Ben felt Chris’ teeth slide into his shoulder.

  The orgasm that hit him was no less intense than the one he’d had not so long ago with Alex. Chris’ cock jerked in his hand, squirting onto his stomach. Ben worked to keep from squeezing too tightly in the middle of his own eruption. He kept his teeth deep in Chris until both their bodies relaxed, spent.

  “I’m close.” Alex’s voice sounded high, thready.

  Ben rolled over so he could see.

  A flush rose from her breasts up her neck. Her head was flung back, eyes closed, and her lips were parted. Between her legs, her fingers rubbed her very wet, very pink pussy. The scent of her arousal called to him but he resisted the temptation to lick and taste. He wanted to see her come.

  Then she did. The muscles in her legs and stomach trembled. He could see contractions around her pussy. God, he’d never seen anything like it before.

  “Amazing,” Chris said.

  After several seconds, she opened her eyes and smiled sleepily. Ben grabbed her around the waist and pulled her toward them. The three of them ended in a jumble of legs and arms and torsos. As Chris pulled a blanket over them, Ben drifted off to sleep.

  ***

  As they lay in bed afterward, Chris knew they hadn’t quite finished their business from earlier that day. Alex had accepted them, which was what was important. But he didn’t know if she would give up the names of the fellow conspirators who were in his pack. And he needed those names.

  Keith, for one. He’d kick Keith out for sure. But who else? It would be best if they tossed all of them out at the same time, so they’d all be caught by surprise.

  Alex moved, curling into him. He rubbed his hand up and down her arm. Still so young. And now his to protect.

  Her eyes blinked open. “That was amazing.”

  “It sure was.” He brushed the spot on her shoulder where he’d marked her.

  Alex shivered. “You probably shouldn’t do that unless you mean to—you know.” She bit her lip.

  So young. And despite everything, still so innocent.

  “I’ll remember that.” He moved his hand to her waist. “I need to ask you for something. I wish I didn’t have to, but I don’t have a choice.”

  Her fingers rubbed against the hairs on his chest. “Anything.”

  “I need to know which of the wolves who’ve joined recently are involved with this Brett guy. I need to kick them all out of the pack before they can do any harm.”

  “Of course. I’ll give you a list.”

  He kissed her forehead. That had gone much easier than he’d thought. “Let’s do it now. Can you get free from Ben without waking him?”

  Ben had flung his arm and leg over Alex. His hand rested on Chris’ hip. Chris eased out of the bed. Alex very carefully crawled out from under Ben, who promptly rolled onto his stomach.

  “Heavy sleeper,” she said.

  Chris grabb
ed the little pad of paper and pen provided by the hotel and sat down at the table, naked. After pulling on her t-shirt and undies, Alex joined him.

  “I’d rather you’d stayed naked,” he said.

  “I’m sure you would.”

  “Maybe in time.”

  She raised her eyebrows. “I wouldn’t count on it.”

  Nah, he’d get her used to it. In time. It had always been a fantasy of his to have his mate walking naked around the house. Not all the time, but every so often.

  While Chris fantasized about their future together, Alex finished writing her list and pushed it over to him. Chris scanned the names. “This is everyone in the last six months except Ben.” He’d expected there to be at least one or two who were legit. It felt even worse to know that none of these wolves who’d pledged themselves to him had meant it. Not a one.

  Chris hopped on the phone to call his most trusted wolves. They’d eject the rogues tonight. He then called Jake to let him know what was happening. Jake and his wolves would show up at the bar to trap any of the rogues who showed up there. Chris’ wolves would cover each of the rogues’ homes, evicting them, as it were. They’d be out of the pack by midnight.

  And Alex would be in. Once Chris knew all the rogues had been kicked out of his territory, he and his mates would go to the bar where Alex would pledge herself to him. And then everything would go back to normal.

  Better than normal.

  ***

  Alex’s phone rang. A quick glance at the screen showed her a picture of the last person in the world she wanted to talk to. “Brett.”

  Chris put his hand over his phone. “If everything were normal, would you pick up?”

  “Of course.”

  “Then pick up. Act normal. I’ll go in there so he can’t hear me.” Chris walked into the bathroom and closed the door.

  Just to be sure Brett wouldn’t hear Chris, Alex walked to the far end of the room from the bathroom before picking up. “Hey.” She worked to put some excitement in her voice, the way she used to answer his calls.

  “Are you in?” Brett said. “I saw you go to a hotel with him and some other guy. Did you do what I said and spread your legs for him?”

  His crudeness revolted her, especially when he was talking about something as beautiful and wonderful as what had just happened between her and her mates. And she had to act normal. Luckily, normal meant she’d act shocked at his language. “Brett!”

  “Did you?”

  She sighed dramatically. “Yes. Okay?”

  “How was it?”

  What did that matter? She almost wanted to tell him it was fantastic, just so he’d be sorry he let her go. But that might just piss him off. Not to mention it wouldn’t be ‘normal.’ “Okay.”

  “What about the other guy? Did he do it with you?”

  If she said yes, he might guess that Ben and Chris were her mates. “No…he was just some guy hanging around with Chris. Chris didn’t say why.”

  “Course not. He wouldn’t tell you. But he will. I want you to become his confidant. And tell me everything he says.”

  She couldn’t wait until Chris kicked them all out and this was over. “Okay, whatever.”

  “You do it, Alex. I’ll call again later.”

  “Fine,” she said. “And when are you joining?” The question popped out of her mouth without thought.

  “Just do what I said.” He hung up.

  She shouldn’t have prodded him. But, too late now. She walked across the room and cracked open the bathroom door to let Chris know she was off the phone. He came out a couple of seconds later, just as Ben blinked awake.

  “How’d it go?” Chris said.

  “Fine. Except I might have gotten a little snappish with him at the end,” Alex said.

  “Is that unusual?” Ben pulled himself out of bed.

  “Yeah. He has a bad temper. So I’m usually—I mean, I used to be really careful around him so I wouldn’t piss him off.” Alex pushed her hair behind her ear. “Sometimes I’d slip. Hopefully he’ll think this was just another slip.”

  Ben slid his arms around her and kissed the top of her head. “You know you don’t have to be careful around us, right?”

  “I don’t know. I sometimes have a temper,” Chris said. The sparkle in his eye said different.

  “Yeah, but I can’t picture you ever hitting me,” Alex said.

  Both the men froze. Shit, she shouldn’t have said that.

  “He hit you?” Chris’ voice was low, soft, and more menacing than anything she’d ever heard in her life.

  “I’m going to kill him.” Ben’s voice sounded more like a growl.

  “Not if I get to him first.”

  “Now, wait,” Alex said. She put a hand on each of their chests. “It wasn’t that big a deal. And it was weeks ago.”

  “Weeks?” Ben growled.

  “Did he leave a mark?” Chris said, still with that scary voice.

  “Just for a day or two.”

  Chris growled, his eyes flashing golden-yellow.

  “He’s dead.” Ben’s fingers were turning into claws.

  God, she kept digging the hole bigger with every word she said. “Calm down. Please.” She curled her fingers into their shirts. “Please, please.”

  Chapter 11

  Alex waited while both men breathed heavy, working to get hold of themselves.

  Finally, Chris nodded. “I’m calm. But Brett is still dead.” He stepped closer to her, brushing her hair back from her face, inspecting. “You’re sure there aren’t any scars?”

  “I’m sure.”

  His hands felt warm and gentle. Brett had never been like that. When Brett got mad, he spewed it all over anyone in range. He couldn’t have done what both her mates had just done, pulling themselves together through sheer force of will. She’d always thought Brett was the strongest wolf she’d ever met. Now she knew different.

  Now she understood what her dads had meant when they’d talked to her about Brett. If only she’d listened. Except—if she’d listened, she wouldn’t be here, with her mates. And she couldn’t regret that.

  Ben stepped up behind her and buried his face in her neck. The three of them touching like that felt like home.

  “I shouldn’t have said anything,” Alex said.

  “No.” Ben’s breath felt warm against her neck.

  “You can tell us anything.” Chris still stroked her cheeks. “We’re not mad at you. We’ll only be mad at you if you keep things from us. Okay?”

  “Okay.”

  Chris settled his hands on the sides of her neck, his thumbs against her jawline. “You said you were snappish with him. What did you say?”

  “I asked him when he was going to join. Stupid, I know. I mean, he’s not going to join, so it doesn’t matter.”

  “What’d he say?” Chris said.

  Alex twisted her mouth. “He hung up on me.”

  “Too bad. I would’ve liked the answer to that.” Chris leaned down and kissed Alex. “It’s all good. Okay?”

  “Yeah. It’s all good.”

  The rest of the day went by in a flurry of activity, planning who would pick up which wolf when. Alex couldn’t wait for it to all be over. Chris had promised that after they’d ejected the wolves and Alex had joined the pack, the three of them would go to his place. She looked forward to seeing her new home and spending the night wrapped in the arms of her mates.

  Several hours later, Alex stood with Ben and Chris in front of the apartment Keith had been living in since he joined the pack. It was in neutral territory, which was strange, but maybe he’d done it so Brett could visit him. Right now, it meant Alex could accompany them even though she hadn’t officially joined the pack yet.

  Chris glanced at his watch. They had coordinated the times—everyone would eject their chosen wolves at precisely seven o’clock. Just to be on the safe side, so none of them could notify the others.

  There were no walls around their territory, nothing phys
ically keeping intruders out. But the territory was tied to the Alpha, and when a wolf outside the pack entered their territory, the Alpha sensed it. When they ejected these wolves, by the next sunrise the territory would see them as interlopers. Chris would know if they returned.

  A couple of minutes later, Chris knocked on the door. Alex felt a wrench in her gut. Keith would be angry. And at seeing her there with her mates, he’d be livid. But Chris had wanted Brett to know she was with them, and Ben had agreed.

  The door opened wide. Keith stood in his jeans and a plain white t-shirt. “Yeah?” When he saw who stood there, he modulated his tone. “Oh, Chris. How’s it going?” His eyes darted to Ben, then Alex.

  “You’re done,” Chris said. “We know all about your little plan to take over my pack with your friends. I’ve banished all of you.”

  Banishing was even easier than she would have guessed. The banished pack members didn’t even have to be there. Chris had stood in the hotel room and read out their names, and it was done.

  Keith turned red, his eyes fixing on Alex. “You bitch.” He lunged in her direction.

  She jumped backward, her heart thumping.

  Ben grabbed Keith before he could touch her and slammed him against the doorjamb. “You ever touch my mate again and I’ll kill you.”

  “Mate?” Keith laughed, high and a little manic. “You’ve gotta be kidding me. That skanky whore has mates?”

  Ben punched him.

  She didn’t think of herself as a violent woman, but it sure felt good to see Keith roughed up. For once, she didn’t have to sit and take his abuse.

  “Call her that again, and I’ll pound you into the dirt,” Chris said.

  “You?” Keith said. “You’re her other mate?”

  “Yeah, me. And you can tell Brett that if he ever shows his face he’ll be sorry. He’s got a lot of payback coming to him. Starting with the day he hit Alex.”

  Keith sneered. Before he could say anything, Ben pushed him into the apartment.

  Alex followed Chris and Ben. Keith’s place was surprisingly neat. She’d pictured Keith as a slob. Maybe because when he’d lived in the house with them, he’d always insisted she be the one to clean up and had never lifted a finger himself.