A Lost Paige (Hidden Kingdom Trilogy Book 2)

by L. Rose

  Nate’s warning growl echoed around the room, and then it was Asher’s turn to fly into a wall. Before he did so, Asher spun in the air and landed on his feet. He pushed the hair out of his face and grinned.

  I blinked when Asher disappeared from sight. Nate’s growl grew louder as he spun this way and that.

  “Wipe that smile off your face, angel,” Nate snarled at me.

  I didn’t realize I’d been smiling, but I couldn’t wipe it away if I tried. I liked what I could see. I also enjoyed Nate calling me angel a lot.

  A breeze swept over me. A whisper touched my ear. “Take your clothes off, love.” Another breeze and Asher was gone. I heard a slap, and Nate cursed, snarling at the air as he rubbed his butt cheek.

  Covering my mouth, I laughed silently but stood and quickly undressed. Nate’s nostrils flared, and his dark gaze swung to me. His growl turned rougher. His eyes stayed locked on me as I made my way to Alex’s bed.

  Asher winked at me from where he leaned against the wall behind Nate. My vampire was playing a game of distraction to get what he wanted, and it was working because Nate never wavered from looking at me.

  This was fun.

  A thrill shot to my pussy, wetting me more than I already was. Nate breathed it in and took a step forward. He shook his head and glanced around the room. Asher was already on the move, flashing so unbelievably fast that we couldn’t keep an eye on him. Nate snarled, reaching out, trying to grasp the invisible.

  Feeling playful myself, I also wanted to gain the one bond I hadn’t. Nate would be mine… and in turn, if Asher claimed Nate, then it wasn’t my fault. Not when both of them turned me into a lusty mess.

  I climbed onto the bed. Nate, hearing the squeaks of the mattress, whipped his eyes my way. Smiling, I lay on my back. He was close to the end of the bed, so when I dragged my legs up to place my feet on the bed and then spread them, he had a straight line to my drenched pussy.

  He sucked in a harsh breath and took a step my way, only to stop, shake his head violently, and then glance around the room, searching for his prey.

  I needed to play dirty to get his attention focused only on me.

  I lifted up on one elbow and slowly glided my hand over my breasts and moaned. His dark gaze shot right back to me, and he let out a louder rumble.

  “I know what you’re doing, angel. It won’t work.”

  I shook my head. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  His upper lip raised, and he snarled, knowing I was lying. Yet, he didn’t take his eyes off me. Instead, his gaze drank me in. It roamed over my skin, heating my body more. I moved my hand down over my belly, where it quivered under my own light touch. I then dipped my fingers into my curls and watched Nate take another step toward me, his hands fisting at his sides. His erection leaked at the tip, and I wanted to lick it away.

  At the first touch with just one finger to my sensitive and throbbing clit, I threw my head back and moaned again.

  Next, my hand was thrown away from my pussy, and there was a beast of a man between my legs, taking in his first taste of me. His tongue swiped over my folds, then from the bottom of my slit to the top where he circled his tongue around my nub. I cried out, lying flat on my back and gripping the sheets.

  “Oh God,” I yelled, and felt Nate’s lips and mouth stiffen on me. A warm sensation started in my chest and weaved low to where Nate was connected to me. Nate stilled for a moment, then growled, which vibrated over me, causing me to twitch. It was then I remembered Thorn’s words. Any sexual fluids would complete the bond; it just happened to be while Nate was between my legs. His hands and claws dug into my thighs, holding me tighter while the bond heated to the painful flame and then disappeared. Nate groaned. A burst of crazed desire shot into me. Desire, respect, annoyance, and even love… I knew it was all from Nate because I felt the same for him and made sure he could feel my own emotions.

  He groaned again before giving me one last swipe of his tongue and climbed up to hover over me.

  “The bond’s complete,” he stated.

  Smiling, I nodded and cupped his cheeks. “Yes.” I ran a finger over his plump, wet bottom lip. “Now kiss me, my mate.”

  He nipped at my finger. “You’re annoying.”

  “So are you.”

  “You’re a pain in my ass.”

  I laughed, feeling so much lighter. “So are you.”

  “I… care about you.”

  My heart thumped hard. “I know.” I lifted up and pressed my mouth to his. Against his lips, I whispered, “And I care about you.”

  He grunted. “Good.” His arms wrapped around me. He captured my mouth in a demanding, hot, hard kiss while he slid his hard cock inside me. He ate my whimper into his own mouth, and if he didn’t feel so good, I would have smacked that cocky smirk off his face.

  Only his mouth then lifted off me, his head turned, and a snarl ripped out of him. Looking over his shoulder, I saw Asher with his hand wrapped around Nate’s tail, stroking it up and down.

  Nate had been claimed.

  A giggle escaped me. Nate gave me a dirty look, but then pulled out from within me and thrust in deep. “Yes,” I cried and saw him smile, until his growl came back, and he glanced over his shoulder again.

  I couldn’t see where Asher’s other hand was. When I saw Nate’s eyes widen, he pumped himself in and out of me and bit on his bottom lip, all while his chest rumbled with the same growl.

  “Yes, wolf, fuck our mate,” Asher bit out.

  Nate did. His hips moved faster, but then he stilled. His growl changed up a bit, one of warning.

  “I told you, wolf. You’re mine,” Asher said, and then I felt a powerful thrust. Nate threw his head back and roared. Asher’s hand dug into Nate’s hips, and then we were all moving together. I clamped my legs up around both men to feel Asher move in and out of Nate while Nate entered me again and again.

  Nate’s head dipped. His mouth latched on my nipple and sucked. It drew the orgasm straight up and out of me. My walls clamped around Nate’s cock, and he groaned. Asher hissed behind him, their hips still moving back and forth, and then Asher bit into Nate’s shoulder and both of them shuddered above me, moaning.

  Nate panted into my neck. “We’re doing that again, but it’ll last longer, and I’ll have you, vampire.”

  Asher chuckled. I could already see both of my men were back to their other selves. “I’d like to see you try again, wolf.”

  I loved their teasing, their friendship, and even their love for each other. They may not admit it to one another, but I could feel it from both of them, and it wasn’t just aimed at me.

  My body had recharged with a good round of lovemaking, a shower, food, and sleep. I’d never get over the separation anxiety I felt for Alex and Thorn, but I had to pull myself together and make sure I was still there for the mates I had around me. And for my people and my family too—a family who had banned me from their suite because they were sick of seeing me… sick of my moods, sick of my interfering in their own lives.

  Okay, I probably went too far when I told Eric he needed to knock my sister up because she wanted another child. And that if he didn’t do it, I was sure she’d find someone around the place who would easily take her to bed and impregnate her.

  Yes, it wasn’t my best moment. Especially since Yasmin had confided in me quietly how Eric said he didn’t want any more children, but she did.

  Thankfully, when I went there that morning, dropped to my knees and begged for forgiveness for being over-the-top stupid, Eric sighed, nodded, and let me in. Asher was off seeing to something, so I had Nate following me into their home close behind. In fact, since the bond completed, he hadn’t left my side, and I lost count of the times he buried his nose in my neck to draw in my scent.

  I didn’t mind at all; in fact, I thought it cute.

  Just after I’d entered my sister’s quarters, I was attacked. It had only been a couple of days, but when the kids wrapped their little arms around
me for a hug, it felt like I’d been missing them for years.

  Yasmin stood in the doorway to the kitchen with her arms crossed and a glare fixed on her face. I offered an apologetic smile. She turned and walked back into the kitchen.

  “Is Mommy cranky with you?” Sophie asked in a whisper before she ran and jumped into Nate’s arms. He spun her, causing her to giggle.

  “She sure looks it,” Oscar said.

  I ruffled his hair and told him, “It’s fine. I’ll go talk to her.” I glanced at Nate. “Wait here, please.” He grunted and then was too busy defending himself when Oscar charged him and leaped onto his back. Nate fell, pretending with them. There hadn’t been many moments I’d seen him with my niece and nephew, but when I did, I loved watching their interaction. Actually, I loved all of my men and how easily they melted around the kids.

  I quickly pushed that thought aside, or it would lead me down a path I wasn’t ready to travel. One that was probably filled with longing and hope.

  When I entered the kitchen, Yasmin stood leaning against the counter. I smiled again, but she didn’t return it.

  “Sisters before misters. You always said that,” she told me.

  “I have.” I nodded.

  “What you told Eric was hard, cruel, and could have damaged our marriage.”

  “I know, and I’m so sorry. I’ve been crazy since Alex and Thorn haven’t returned to me.”

  Her eyes softened a little. “I understand, but you’re never to interfere in my marriage again.”

  “I won’t. I promise.”

  “Okay,” she said.

  “Okay as in you’ll forgive me or just okay?”

  “I’ll forgive you. Just this once.”

  I ran at her and hugged her tightly. “I am so very sorry.”

  She curled her arms around me. “I know you are. I also know you have a lot on your plate. The battle didn’t go unnoticed, and then with the news of Alex and Thorn, plus with the visit from Lucifer, which I still can’t believe, a lot is going on.”

  I nodded. “There’s so much to deal with.” I pulled back, my smile sad. “You know I was always the procrastinator on many things in life, but now it seems everything is just flying at me so fast it’s hard to deal with. It’s hard to get my head around, but I have to, and not only for myself but for the people depending on me.”

  She tucked my hair behind my ears and then rested her hands on my shoulders. “You’re not alone in dealing with everything, Paige. You must remember you have your mates, you have us, the guards, the wolf pack now. You have so many who are willing to help you in any way. Even to help you get through your emotions. Just lean on us all a little more. It’s okay to feel worry and fear for those you care about.”

  Nodding, I stepped back. Her hands dropped, and I started pacing. “Everything is still so new. I’m not sure how I’m supposed to act, what I’m supposed to tell people. I feel like a failure for showing my emotions. I need to show strength.”

  “The queen can show her people it’s okay to care. It’s okay to lose it when something bad happens. It makes you human… well, not human, but more approachable, more like the people who look up to you.”

  She was right. I tried to push my emotions down and do things that kept me busy to hide showing my emotions. I didn’t need to hide them. Everyone felt, and even though I was the queen, I could still be me.

  Stopping, I faced Yasmin. “You’re right.”

  “Thank you, but another word of advice. What the queen shouldn’t be doing is trying to fix plumbing, nearly burning down the kitchen, and decorating. Leave that up to the rest, the ones who know what they’re doing.”

  A laugh escaped me. “I will.”

  “I’m glad. One last thing.”

  “Yes?” I said hesitantly.

  “What the hell are you wearing?”

  I glanced down at myself and laughed. “Alex’s shirt and Thorn’s pants.”

  “They are way too big for you. You look like a child.”

  I smiled. “I know, but they’re comforting. There is something I could use your help with.”

  “What’s that?”

  “I have that ceremony this afternoon, can you help me pick the right dress for it?”

  She snorted. “I think it’s best I do.”

  “I love you, Yasmin.”

  “And I love you.”

  My sister was the best in the world.

  “Will you fucking quit doing that?” I snapped, but not too harshly. I couldn’t have made it harsh even if I wanted to because, even though I was pissed and concerned for Alex and Thorn, I was still happy, and that shit made me feel guilty because I didn’t have my other mates here to share the happiness I got from Paige and Asher.

  Christ, I was a ball full of fucked-upness.

  “No, I don’t believe I will, wolf,” Asher said at my back as he nipped on my neck and continued purring. His vampire fucking purred. He was too damn satisfied after we’d fought again, and he’d managed to win. Though, I was sure my wolf was happy to give up if we got to feel the way he made us the night before. I hid my grin in the pillow. We knew we had to move, but we were being lazy. I was on my stomach with Asher practically covering my body with his weight. I liked it. Never thought I’d say that shit, but I did.

  Paige walked out from the bathroom with a towel wrapped around her. She’d only left the bed moments ago after sucking me until I came down her throat while I enjoyed eating her pussy as Asher fucked me. “Are you both still agreeing with Yasmin with her choice of that?” She pointed down at the dress over the lounge chair. I didn’t even look at the fabric. I couldn’t stop looking at her gorgeous body, knowing she was mine.

  Ours.

  Christ, I was one lucky wolf.

  “It’s perfect, love,” Asher said, running his claws up and down my back, drawing out goose bumps.

  “For the millionth time, she picked well,” I told her, then winked. She grinned, her eyes warm as she looked at us. Even the night before and moments ago, I never once sensed jealousy, and she’d kept our links open. In fact, I knew for certain she enjoyed a fucking lot watching Asher and me together. It’d be the same when I took Alex and Thorn as well.

  All of us were made for each other. Shit. Being with a guy had never been in my thoughts until Paige came into our lives and blew our minds wide open. Though, I thought perhaps I was the only one who hadn’t been with a guy previously. It was safe to say I’d been missing out.

  Paige was our heart and soul. She was everything.

  We had the perfect pack.

  Even though my wolf and I hadn’t claimed Asher in the way we had Alex and Thorn, we still saw him as ours, and the possessiveness was still the same over him that it was for them. Found that out only a couple of hours ago when a bitch of a vampire checked him out as we’d walked down the hall. I’d known where her thoughts had gone, and they were picturing him naked. It was lucky Asher was fast or she wouldn’t have any eyes to look at him again.

  Of course, the fucker thought it was funny, until someone brushed up against me in the kitchens, and Asher had her body flying through the room. It was lucky Paige had already changed things, and people seemed happier about said changes around the place because they found our actions cute. At least that was what Gregory told us on the walk back to Paige’s room.

  “Are you two getting ready any time soon?”

  “Or you could come back to bed with us, angel,” I said.

  She pointed a finger at me and wiggled it side to side. “Don’t tempt me, Nate. But, can I just say I love this… seeing you both like this. Happy.” Her smile dimmed.

  “Don’t, love. Don’t feel guilty for feeling happy in the moment because Alex and Thorn aren’t with us. They will be eventually. They aren’t lost to us forever. I’m sure of it. I’m also sure they’ll want to hear about everything they’ve missed. Like the vampire beating the wolf.”

  I growled in the back of my throat, even though my wolf wasn’t present si
nce he was sleeping contently. “Be smug, vampire. It won’t last.”

  Paige giggled. When I shot her a glare, she covered her mouth to try and hide it. I couldn’t keep the glare when she was so fucking adorable. Also, when I felt fucking happy.

  Goddamn, I wished Alex and Thorn were here.

  “Come here, angel.”

  She shook her head. “I can’t. You’ll distract me, and we have to get to the ceremony soon.”

  I held out my hand while Asher went back to kissing and purring over me. “Come on, just for a little while.”

  Her lips thinned as she thought it over. Then she moved toward the bed and sat on the edge. I curled my arm around her waist and dragged her down, lifting enough to lay half over her. “This is better,” I said.

  She smiled. “I never would have thought that the big bad wolf was a cuddler.”

  “I never have been, but you’re a bad influence on me.”

  She ran her hand through my hair. “I’m glad.”

  I hummed under my breath and rested my head against her shoulder. Asher’s hand left my back, and I knew when Paige’s hand disappeared from my hair that he’d taken it in his hand. I heard his kiss to her skin.

  He leaned over me more so he could see Paige. “Back to what you were saying, love. I can only speak for myself, but I have never been this happy in my existence. What we have is beyond what I could have imagined in finding my perfect clan. You all complete me, and I look forward to the future we’ll have.”

  I grunted. “Not long ago, I was thinking the same. Only I would have said pack, and I wouldn’t have been that corny to say you complete me, but I’d think it.”

  Asher’s fangs raked over my skin, his growl playful. “As soon as Alex and Thorn are home, we will tell them the same.”

  She licked her lips, which was distracting. “It hasn’t been the same without them, and yet….”

  “It has because we’ve all been together.”

  “Yes,” she admitted guiltily.