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Adam’s brows rose in surprise. She certainly was attentive. He exchanged another look with Devon, knowing the man had caught the same thing.
“Was the wolf sick? Is that why it attacked?” Sandy’s eyes widened. “Did the wolf pass on some disease to Lonnie? Is that why he’s been acting oddly?”
“No, not a disease, per se,” Adam said, stalling for time. Damn, he didn’t want her thinking that becoming a shifter was a sickness. Adam considered it an honor for a human to be mated to a shifter and turned into one. He hoped they could convey that to her.
A scent he recognized hit him, just as Adam saw Devon stiffen. They smelled an aroused alpha male. Turning slowly, he saw Rance Diallo standing in the doorway of the bar. The cougar alpha stared straight at them, his jaw tightening as his eyes darkened with lust. When he started toward their booth, Adam could think only one thought. Fuck! Fuck! Fuck!
Chapter Four
Ben slammed on the brakes, cursing a blue streak. After the meeting with Rance, he’d remembered he’d promised to pick up condoms and lube. They didn’t have any since mostly they took shifter women to their beds, and they couldn’t get pregnant unless they were mated. But if they were to seduce their human mate, they may need them to assuage her worry until she understood and accepted that shifters didn’t carry or pass on human diseases. And with Sandy in heat, unconsciously stimulating them until they managed to complete the mate-bond with her, they were definitely going to need something to ease the ache. The problem now was that he was nearly ten minutes later than he’d planned.
When the light turned green, he revved the bike’s engine and sped forward. Two minutes of speeding had him pulling into The Copper Kettle’s parking lot. As he turned off his bike and pulled off his helmet, he noticed Rance’s truck in the parking lot. “Oh, fuck no,” he hissed, sprinting toward the door.
Yanking the door open, the scent hit him first, prime female in heat under laid by something that could only be explained as the sweet scent of a mate. He’d known from puberty that Adam and Devon would be his betas, and therefore share his mate, and once they’d hit their first shift as well, they’d recognized the bond between them. They’d done plenty of experimenting with women in college, learning how to pleasure them together and working as a seamless team that brought everyone maximum pleasure.
Once they’d returned to the pack, the sharing had stopped, but suddenly he couldn’t wait to do it again, with Sandy. The desire to share her with Devon and Adam, combining their efforts to drive their mate out of her mind with desire infused every cell of his body. To bring a human into the fold would be a huge adjustment for all of them, but if the aching cock pressing painfully against his zipper was any indication, it wouldn’t be a hardship…unless they couldn’t convince her.
His gaze roved over the occupants of the room, quickly finding his betas glaring up at Rance. He could feel the tension in the air as he started their way. His heightened hearing allowed him to make out Rance’s words over the music playing over the sound system. “What the hell are you talking about?” the cougar alpha snarled.
“If we could step outside and discuss this,” Devon responded, trying to placate Rance.
Rance growled. “And have you remove her before I get back inside? I don’t think so. Whatever it is, tell me now.”
“I had a vision about her,” Ben said quietly from behind Rance, making certain his words carried only to the other shifter. “She’s ours.”
He watched Rance stiffen. Yup, he knew the scent of his unmated mate scrambled the senses. He was having a hard time concentrating himself. Ben wanted to shift and demand Rance’s submission. Then he wanted to fuck his mate in front of every shifter in the bar, proving his dominance and that she was his. He took a deep breath to try to regain control, but, well fuck, that didn’t help. Her scent permeated the room.
“Rance…” he growled softly.
The man slowly turned to meet his glare. “Why didn’t you say something about her half an hour ago?”
“Because she’s human,” he hissed. “I haven’t met her yet and didn’t know it had started,” he answered honestly, since he knew the other shifter would be able to scent a lie.
Rance growled softly. “How do you know she’s yours then?”
“I told you. I had a vision,” he whispered.
That earned him a snarl from the other man. “Bullshit,” Rance scoffed. “That’s a myth.”
Realizing the other alpha had never experienced it, he glanced around the bar. “Are you connected with your betas? Can you speak to them?” he asked pointedly. One of the easiest ways to establish who could make up an alpha’s circle was the ability to speak telepathically to them while shifted. Sometimes, an alpha could speak to a number of people in his pack and could choose the most suited. Sometimes, he had to take what Fate gave him. Ben had been lucky that his betas were also his best friends growing up.
Rance glared at him, sneering. “This isn’t a wolf pack, Ben. It doesn’t work that way.”
“Don’t fuck with me, Rance,” Ben growled back, stepping toward the man. “If you can’t speak with your betas, then you have the wrong cougars as your betas. Fix it, then you’ll see!” he snarled, knowing his voice would carry only to the other man.
“Seventy-two hours,” Rance snapped back. “After that, she’s fair game.”
Knowing he wasn’t going to get a better offer from the cougar shifter, he nodded. “Fair enough.”
Rance turned and headed toward the door. On his way he let out an in-human yowl, calling the rest of his pride with him. Three men rose and followed Rance out the door. Ben let out a slow breath before he turned to his betas and the woman in the booth.
She was stunning. From what he could see, she had a petite figure, a pretty face, and big breasts. Damn. He wanted to touch. A shiver worked its way down his spine as he approached the table. Adam rose from where he sat next to their wide-eyed mate and gave him a relieved smile.
“Glad you could make it, Ben,” he murmured. Then he grinned. “You arrived just in time.”
Ben grimaced. “Sorry I’m late.” He dropped onto the bench beside Devon. He stared across the table at his woman. Fuck, he liked the sound of that, his and his friends’ woman. “Three days, betas,” he said quietly, warning them.
Devon and Adam nodded. Devon leaned across the table, drawing Sandy’s attention. She managed to draw her gaze away from Ben, who felt some satisfaction that she seemed as drawn to him as he was to her. That didn’t stop her from drinking in the sight of his beta once she focused on him. Good.
Ben grinned as Devon introduced them. “Sandy, this is Ben Maxwell. He’s our alpha. Ben, allow me to introduce you to Sandy Shreve. She’s an author.”
“It’s nice to meet you,” Sandy said, holding out a hand. But just as he took it, she cocked her head to the side, looked back at Devon, and asked, “Did you say alpha?”
Ben squeezed her hand to bring Sandy’s focus back to him before nodding confirmation. She had gorgeous green eyes. Nice. Deep like the ocean. “Yes. We have a lot to discuss, Sandy. I’m sorry we had to meet this way.”
She frowned, lightly tugging her hand until he let her go. He immediately missed the contact. She looked between his betas. “Look, when I came here, you were supposed to buy me a drink and tell me about Lonnie. So far, you’ve only done half that. Why don’t you tell me what your friend here has to do with Lonnie and the disease, per se?” She held up her fingers and made air quotes.
Ben’s brows shot up. “Disease? What the hell did you tell her?” he asked, looking at Devon and then Adam.
Adam had the decency to flush, which amused Ben. It wasn’t often the charming beta got flustered. Ben tried to get his pulsing prick, complements of Sandy’s increased scent due to her frustration, under control enough to focus on Adam’s words.
“Sandy asked if the wolf that attacked her friend, Lonnie, infected him with a disease and that’s why she’s been feeling uncomfortable aroun
d him.”
Adam met his gaze, and he read the beta’s concern with the direction of the questioning.
“I told her that’s not what happened, per se.”
Ben nodded. “Fair enough.” He returned his focus to Sandy. “Look, I don’t want to seem forward, but I’m just gonna come out and say it. We’re shifters. We turn into wolves. I am the pack alpha. Devon and Adam are my betas.” He could see from her disbelieving look she thought he was nuts. Ben frowned. Damn, this would be so much easier if she weren’t human. “I’d like to take you somewhere to show you. I can prove everything.”
Sandy quickly shook her head. “Hell, no. The minute you get me from this public place, you’re going to hurt me.”
He watched her glance around, obviously seeking a way to escape.
Not gonna happen!
Ben stood, motioning for Adam to move, who immediately yielded his position next to their mate. Sliding into the seat next to Sandy, Ben leaned toward her, letting his scent and presence surround her. “We will never harm you, Sandy. I know you don’t understand how you know this, but you do, don’t you?” He watched her gaze rove over his face, as if reading his sincerity.
“Yes,” she whispered, shaking her head in confused wonder. “But why do I feel this way?”
He eased closer, giving her ample time to move away. “Because you mean more to us than our lives, darling,” he whispered, brushing his lips over hers. She responded quickly, leaning into him and whimpering.
Ben couldn’t stop the low growl that erupted from his chest. He wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her onto his lap, deepening the kiss. He tilted his head, slanting his lips over Sandy’s, and brushed his tongue against her lips. She groaned and opened her mouth, letting his tongue sweep inside. He tasted merlot, mint, and sweet feminine heaven. It was like ambrosia to a starving man, and Ben devoured her mouth as he slid a hand under her skirt along the inside of her thigh.
He felt a hand on his shoulder and warm breath at his ear as Adam whispered something his lust-fogged brain didn’t catch. Moaning, Ben broke the kiss with Sandy and lifted his head away. Sandy’s soft cry had his gaze snapping his eyes open. He watched Adam wrap a large hand around the nape of her neck and seal his lips over Sandy’s in an erotic display of oral seduction that almost had Ben creaming his pants.
When Adam ended the kiss, both he and Sandy were panting heavily. Ben watched Sandy’s breasts rise and fall quickly, fighting his urge to touch. He licked his lips and lifted his gaze to Sandy’s face. Her wide eyes glanced between them, clearly confused at her own actions.
“I’m…I’m sorry. I don’t usually…” She stopped, obviously at a loss for words.
Devon chuckled from next to them. “We need to get out of here before the locals start a fight.”
Double damn, Ben thought. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d been tempted to get carried away in public. Giving Sandy an apologetic smile, he eased her to her feet, where Devon helped steady her. Ben stood, his cock aching, chafing against his zipper with every move he made. Biting back a grimace, he turned to Sandy. “I’m on my motorcycle. I figure you have your own car. Devon and Adam will lead in the SUV, follow them, and I’ll bring up the rear.”
Sandy frowned. “Where are we going?”
“Our place.”
Chapter Five
“Our place,” she muttered. “Our place? What the hell is that supposed to mean?” They’d been driving for forty minutes. It was in the direction of her home, so where the hell were they taking her? Did they really live this close to her?
Adam chuckled from her passenger seat. At the last minute, he’d offered to ride with her, and still reeling from both Ben and Adam’s kisses, she’d nodded dumbly. Stupid, stupid, stupid. These men claimed to be able to turn into wolves. Ben had made out with her and then watched while Adam had swooped in and done the same. From the looks and touches exchanged by Adam and Devon earlier, she’d assumed they were gay and a couple. Now she realized she must be wrong. But why would both of them kiss her? Did they want a threesome? She had to admit, the idea intrigued her, but where did Devon fit into this?
“You’re thinking way too hard over there, sweetness,” Adam murmured. “I know this is a lot to wrap your head around, but please give us a chance to prove it to you. It’s not just for our sake.”
“Okay,” Sandy replied warily. “When I first met you, from the way you and Devon exchanged looks, the way you touched, I thought you and him were a couple, but that was quite the lip lock you and Ben shared with me.”
Adam nodded slowly, seeming to consider his response. “From the fact that you still went for a drink with me and Devon, I’m assuming that two men together doesn’t bother you?”
Sandy shrugged. “You love who you love.”
Adam smiled.
Yeah, Sandy knew she could be succinct, bluntly so at times.
“Are you open to the idea of loving more than one person at a time?” he asked carefully.
“You mean a permanent ménage?” Sandy asked. She’d read about them in books, but never seen one in real life. “I’m not sure that’s realistic,” she admitted.
The answer seemed to disappoint Adam, who grimaced as he stared out into the dark beyond the window.
His sadness tugged at something in her chest, wanting to make her ease his pain. Sandy reached out and laid a hand on his arm. “Hey. I’m not saying it can’t happen. I’ve just never seen it, that’s all.”
That had Adam’s head turning slowly back to her. “So you’re open if you have proof?” he asked.
She shrugged. “Sure. I guess.” Moving her hand back to the wheel, Sandy immediately missed the feel of his skin under her fingers. Odd.
Nodding, Adam smiled. “The three of us have known each other since we were cubs…er…kids,” he amended. “We grew up together,” he hurried on, not letting her question his word choice.
She made a mental note to ask him about it later, sometime when he was least suspecting it, so she could get a straight answer.
“I know you don’t yet believe in wolf shifters, but Ben could change first. A few months later, Devon shifted and then I did. The inner circle of a shifter pack is made up of the alpha, two betas, and the alpha-mate. The alpha-mate is also the mate of the two betas.” At her cocked brow, he tried to elaborate. “Shifters are much more tactile. What you mistook as a sexual relationship between me and Devon was us reassuring each other. We do it mostly through touch, but try to refrain from that while out among humans,” he admitted.
She nodded slowly, trying to wrap her mind around it.
“Anyway,” Adam went on. “When Devon and I learned to shift, Ben was able to speak to us telepathically, which marks us as potential matches to complete Ben’s inner circle. Since we were already friends and trusted each other, it made sense that when Ben became alpha, he chose us as his betas.” He turned to her and grimaced. “We accepted that we’d be part of a ménage a long time ago. It helps a hell of a lot that we’re all attracted to the same kind of woman,” he added, winking.
“Oh,” she murmured. Damn. That was just…damn! “What does this have to do with me?” From the look on his face, realization hit her. “Oh, hell, no! You think I’m your…what did you call it? The alpha-mate?”
“Hey, I’m sorry I sprung that on you like that,” Adam said, his voice contrite. “I should have eased into it.”
He rested a hand on her shoulder. For some reason, the touch instantly soothed her. Okay, that’s just odd! “I just don’t know how to take any of this. How did you even find me?”
“We scented you at Lonnie’s apartment,” Adam admitted. “We knew then that you were the one we were missing.”
Sandy shook her head. “I don’t understand. You scented me at Lonnie’s place? I haven’t been there in almost a week.”
Adam chuckled, his soft tenor sending shivers through her body that settled in her pussy, making her feel hot and needy. Shit! As if scenting her arou
sal, Adam leaned close, his mouth just under her ear, his breath wafting over her skin as he spoke.
“I was one of the wolves that pulled the rogue off him. I went to the hospital with him. I took my alpha to Lonnie’s apartment to check on him. Your scent was strong when we arrived. We must have just missed you.”
His last words sent trails of warm air down her neck before he followed them with his lips. Her grip tightened on the steering wheel as Adam skated wet, open-mouthed kisses over her skin. She moaned softly in the confines of the Jeep, feeling frustrated when he pulled his lips away.
“If I keep doing that, you’ll wreck your Jeep, and it would kill me if anything happened to you,” Adam whispered. “Just trust this one thing. You mean everything to us, Sandy, and we’ll do anything for you.”
She nodded slowly, although not certain if she believed him. Sandy leaned more toward the old adage actions speak louder than words. She needed the men to prove it. Besides, they didn’t know anything about her. Sure, she felt a strange tug in her chest when she looked at them, but that was nothing but lustful attraction, right?
“Why? Why would you do anything for me?”
Adam sighed, pulling away slightly and Sandy instantly missed his heat, which was ridiculous since he was only six inches away. “You remember me saying you were the one we were missing?”
She nodded, even though with him so close she was having trouble focusing on the actual conversation.
“Ben has been having visions of you for the last two weeks. He knew you were close, but we didn’t know how close until last week at Lonnie’s. After that,” he shrugged. “We’ve been doing everything to find you.”
“I’m sorry,” she murmured, trying to organize her thoughts. She held up a hand, asking for silence while she thought about his words. “A vision? Like as in, seeing the future?”
