“Goddess,” she whispered. “You two are going to wear me out.”
He slid his wet hand over her folds, pleased as fuck she was already damp for him. “We’ll take care of you, Char. You know we will. Now spread your legs a bit so I can see your pretty pussy.”
She spread for him.
Jesus, he was going to die a happy man. “I fucking love your cunt, baby. You’re already wet for me and look how plump and swollen your folds are. Were you playing with yourself when you were out in the bedroom?” He brushed his knuckle along each side of her pussy before nudging it inside, just a tease.
Charlotte shook her head. “No. I wanted to come, but I’d rather have you do it for me.”
He grinned then and used his thumb to gently scrape her clit. “That’s my good girl. Come a little closer, baby. The tub is just the perfect height where if you put your leg on the edge, I can eat you out right here. You want that? You want my face between your legs and my mouth on your cunt? I love that sweet cream of yours on my tongue. You taste like ambrosia, and I have to lick every inch of you.”
She moved her leg, and he shook his head. “I changed my mind. I don’t want you to slip. Here, move to the edge of the tub, right on the rim. I want to fucking eat you up, baby. Can you let me do that?”
Charlotte let out a rough laugh. “I’m about to come from that dirty talk of yours alone, so yeah, I can do that. And Shane? I really want you to eat me out. So please, get to that.”
Shane laughed. So this was what it was like to mate with a dominant female? He’d take it every fucking day if he could. She positioned herself at the edge of the tub and her feet dangled in the water. Shane went to his knees, not the most comfortable position in the tub, but he’d take it if he could taste her.
Charlotte spread her legs, putting her cunt on display, and Shane was actually glad he was on his knees. He could better pray to the moon goddess for this gift from here.
“Put your hands on the edge of the tub and keep yourself steady.”
He didn’t wait for her to respond; instead, he lowered his head and feasted. She did taste of ambrosia—sweet, delicate, and fucking his. He spread her with one hand and licked her from the bottom of her opening to her clit. With his other hand, he slid under her ass just a bit to play with her hole back there. Soon, he’d fill her ass with his cock, but for now, he’d make sure she could fit his fingers. Using her own juices, he massaged the area before sliding his finger into her hole.
She gasped and pressed her pussy closer to his face. He chuckled then, knowing the vibrations would go straight to her clit. Using his tongue and both hands, he fucked her pussy and her ass at the same time, and before long, she came hard, screaming his name.
Even as she was panting, her eyes glazed over in bliss, he stood up, gripped her hips, and flipped her over.
“Hold the edge of the tub.” His voice was a low growl, and they were getting water everywhere. He knew it was probably fucking dangerous to fuck like this, but he needed to be in her.
Now.
She bent over, showing him that juicy ass and her very swollen pussy. He gripped the base of his cock and rammed into her in one stroke. They both froze, their breaths coming in pants.
“I think you just split me in half,” Charlotte said with a laugh.
Shane immediately tried to pull out, but Charlotte gripped his wrist with one hand. “Did I hurt you? Fuck, baby. I’m sorry.”
“Only the good kind of hurt. Now please, fuck me.”
He snorted. “So nice of you to say please.”
“Fine, if you’re going to make fun of me…” She moved back along his cock before sliding off again. “I’ll just fuck myself thank you very much.”
Yep. Shane was a goner. There was no way he couldn’t fall for the sexy woman, her humor, her strength…everything about her.
Shane gripped her hips, steadying her. “I’ll take over, baby. Just stand there and enjoy.”
She flipped him off, and he laughed. Soon, they were both moving, fucking each other and getting into the ideal rhythm. They were perfect for each other, not just in mating, but in the way they moved, the way they joked, and the way they thought about things.
He’d have been one lucky son of a bitch to find just her, and now he had her and Bram, too.
As he came, she clenched around him, coming, as well. She shook in his arms, and somehow, they both slid into the tub. He’d never been so grateful for the size of a bathtub in his life. He held her close, using his foot to turn on the faucet and add more hot water. He wanted to care for her, make sure she was okay and sated. From the look in her eyes, she was past sated and reveling in the same gluttony of pleasure he was.
Had he known he would find these two if he’d searched for them, he’d have done it in a heartbeat. As it was, he’d almost had to die, and had had to change his life, betray his people—and possibly his country—in order for it to happen.
And yet, looking back, he’d do it all again.
He’d die a thousand deaths if he could come back and have this woman in his arms. And soon, soon, he’d be strong enough to tell her that. But for now, he held his Charlotte close and focused on her.
The war would be there tomorrow, and Shane would be as ready as he could be for it.
Charlotte was here now, and though Shane hadn’t been prepared for the intensity of what he felt for her, for Bram, he wouldn’t wish it away.
He had his everything.
And now it was time to fight for it.
Chapter Thirteen
It almost felt weird being inside the Redwood wards after so much had happened at the Talons, but Charlotte knew she needed a while at home before she took the next step. She was mated, and while it was supposed to be a time for celebration, she knew they would have to wait to pop the champagne.
With the recent attack on the Talons, there hadn’t been the opportunity to plan a true mating ceremony for them. And while they were bonded and technically blessed by both Alphas, they wouldn’t have the ceremony to show off their new triad to the Packs until Charlotte and Bram were ready to become Talons.
The mating ceremony would have to wait, but for the first time, she was…happy.
She smiled more, she felt hot, sexy, and a little overly emotional at the thought that she finally had her best friend the way she should have all those months ago, and now they had this new man in their lives that completed their triad. Soon, they’d celebrate. But for now, in this time of war, they would train and protect their people. It was what her family had done during the Central war and now after the Unveiling, it was what they were forced to do, as well.
Charlotte put a hand over her stomach, worry racing through her. She hoped that one day her children would find mates and not have to deal with a war in their midst. Though she wasn’t sure that would ever be an option. Not with how things were looking on either side of the line.
And that thought made her come up short. She needed to talk to one of the Healers about birth control. Now. She’d been an idiot in not using it before, but she hadn’t had a reason to. First, they hadn’t needed condoms when they’d been cementing the bonds as condoms wouldn’t have prevented it in any case. Second, wolves didn’t get sexually transmitted diseases so they were safe that way. However, in the following times, they could have gone to condoms, and she should have asked for the herbs the shifters used to prevent pregnancies.
But she hadn’t been thinking.
But that would have to change now, as she didn’t want to have a child yet. She wanted to learn who she was with Bram and Shane, as well as learn who they were with her. They had centuries to have children, and when they were ready, they would take that step. For now, she would take the herbs and hope they weren’t too late. She wouldn’t resent what had come from their mating—if anything had—but it wasn’t exactly the best time for it.
“What are you worrying about over here?” Bram asked as he walked toward her.
She had been standin
g near her home, enjoying the breeze on her skin, but now, all she wanted to do was go inside and slam her best friend against the wall. She could blame it on the mating heat that always rode any mated pair—or triad—hard, but she had a feeling it had more to do with the man in front of her and not any magical connection.
The bond between them pulsed.
Okay, perhaps some of it was their magical connection.
She reached out to dance her fingers along his jaw. He raised a brow, standing still for her so she could play. She loved that he did that and so much more. He reminded her of a jungle cat sometimes, all sleek and powerful. Yes, he was a wolf, and comparing him to a cat would get her in trouble, but she didn’t care. He stood still for her to touch his face, his shoulders, his chest. He always made sure she, and now Shane, were taken care of before he did anything for himself.
That’s why she was glad she and Shane were on the same page when it came to taking care of Bram, rather than the other way around.
Someone needed to care for him and make sure his needs were met.
He might be dominant in bed and in life, but when it came to those he cared about, he wasn’t forceful. He was the quiet dominant wolf, and those were the ones you usually had to watch out for.
And now he was hers.
“Are you going to tell me what you’re thinking about? Or should I guess?”
She traced her fingertips along his lips after he’d spoken and shook her head. “I’m only thinking about you. Come to bed with me.” It was a whisper. A need laid bare before the man she loved. One of the men she loved.
How had she gotten here? How had this become her life?
Warmth filled her, and she smiled.
She was…happy.
For the first time since she’d seen Ellie and Maddox in that basement and they’d saved her life, she was past content and into pure joy. Was this what it felt like to be mates? Was this what it meant to have a future not wrapped up in darkness?
And maybe, just maybe, she deserved this.
Bram lowered his head and brushed his lips along hers. “I think that sounds like a perfect plan.” He kissed her fully then, his tongue sliding along hers. She moaned into him and wrapped her arms around his neck.
This man. This was what she needed.
Him and Shane.
Forever.
He gripped her butt and lifted her off her feet. She chuckled and held on tightly, wrapping her legs around his waist. The position left the long line of his cock pressed firmly against her heat, and she sighed happily.
“Let’s get inside before your whole family finds us naked and sweaty in the middle of the forest.”
Once again, she traced his jaw with her finger a few times, even as he carried her into her house. “Well, I’d like to get naked and sweaty with you outside once, but yeah, in front of my family, not so much.”
He grinned, and she fell in love with him all over again. Goddess, he had the most beautiful smile, and she prayed one day he would use it more often. He closed the door behind her and pushed her back against the wall.
With her body pinned and her legs wrapped around his waist to steady her, he pulled her arms up over her head so she was completely at his mercy.
And goddess, how she loved it.
If any other man or woman tried to pin her down, she’d fight, but Bram and Shane? It just made her want to wrap around them tightly and take all that they could give her.
“I’m going to fuck you against your door. What do you think about that?”
Charlotte smiled and arched her back, pressing her hips closer to his. “I think we’re wearing too many clothes.”
Bram raised a brow, and before she could ask him what he was going to do next, he was using his claws to rip her clothes from her body.
She moaned, in awe of how careful he was, even as he handled her roughly at the same time. His claws grazed her skin, but it was in a sensual move, not a violent one. And when she was naked, still against the door and panting, he held her with one arm and somehow slid out of his clothes, as well.
Now they were both naked, ready, and willing.
It was about time.
She closed her eyes as he slid his lips over her skin, his mouth working her shoulders, her breasts, her neck. She couldn’t help but remember the last time they’d been alone like this. She’d been so happy, so…in love with the man in her arms, and too afraid to do anything about it once the worst happened. She’d wanted him to move on to find his own fate, and had hurt them both in the process.
She’d been wrong before, and she was damned if she’d do it again.
“Ouch!” she called out and opened her eyes. Bram glared at her, and she rubbed her nipple where he’d bitten down none too gently. “What was that for?”
“I’m doing some of my best work here, and you’re frowning. What’s going on in that head of yours?”
She shook her head. “I was just thinking about how we almost lost this.” She cupped his face. “I’m not going to lose you again.”
He turned his head to kiss her palm. “Damn straight.” And when he kissed her, she lost all thoughts of what they’d been through before and only focused on what they had right then. He worked her until she was right at the edge and then slid into her. They panted as one, their bodies moving in unison as they made love. It was hard and yet soft at the same time, fast, and yet never-ending.
And when they came, they threw their heads back and howled, their mating bond once again flaring, cementing them as part of their third. Deep along the bond, she felt Shane’s adoration of Bram and Charlotte together, and she couldn’t wait to see him again. She’d only known him a short while, but somehow, he’d become a deeper part of her life, an integral one she knew she couldn’t live without.
She had two mates, two paths wrapped into one, and a future she could taste on her tongue. Perhaps fate hadn’t betrayed her when she’d been a child and then again when she’d been wrong about Bram. And now that she thought she could live with that, she could breathe again.
She had her best friend, her lover, her mate in her arms—along with Shane waiting close by—and for now, and perhaps for eternity, that would be enough.
“Do you see that?” Charlotte asked Chloe as they patrolled the Redwood and Talon border. There was a clearing of neutral ground that each Pack guarded as one. It had once been part of the Central Pack territory, she knew, and she tried not to think too hard about that.
Chloe, a Talon member who was right out of juvenile status, frowned. “It looks like a fallen log, but not really.”
On alert, Charlotte texted the coordinates to the Redwood Enforcer as Chloe did the same to the Talon’s.
“Something is off about this,” she whispered. “I’d wait to see what it is, but it’s near the human path that hikers take daily now. If they get too close, and it’s not just a log…”
“Let’s check it out,” Chloe put in when Charlotte trailed off. “We can’t just leave it there.”
Charlotte nodded and moved forward. She took four steps and her wolf howled, warning her of what was to come.
The log that wasn’t a log exploded, sending thousands of pieces of shrapnel toward them. She held back a scream as wood and metal pierced her body, cutting her deeply in places. She reached out for Chloe, but knew it was too late. The other woman turned as she fell to the ground, her eyes wide, her neck cut from side to side from a large piece of metal.
Charlotte hit the ground moments after the fallen woman, trying to get her bearings. She growled, her wolf ready to fight, but something smashed her on the back of the head. She only had a moment to wonder what it was, what had come from the wrong direction to hit her, before everything went black.
And she was gone.
****
Bram almost fell to his knees as the shock rocked along the bond. Bile filled his throat, and a metallic taste coated his tongue. His ears rang, and his wolf howled, scraping along his skin, begging to be let out. Th
e wolf needed blood, needed flesh beneath its claws.
It needed revenge for whatever the hell had made the bond twist and bend the way it had just then. It hadn’t broken, no, but it had been damn close to doing so.
Shane, not yet at full strength, sagged against him. He lifted his mate up slightly, and the other man shook him off, standing straight once again.
“What the hell was that?” Shane asked, his eyes wide.
“Charlotte,” Bram bit out, his breath ragged. “Something happened to Charlotte.”
His phone buzzed then, and he pulled it out, his hands shaking like crazy. He usually had way more control than this, but he could barely breathe when it came to Charlotte.
He read the screen and cursed. “It’s Kade. I need to go to the neutral territory. Apparently, Charlotte sent out coordinates of something suspicious right before we felt that pain along the bond.”
“I’m going with you.” Shane was almost fully healed from the shift, but he didn’t have a lot of training at being wolf.
It didn’t matter, though. Not when their mate was in danger.
“Let’s go.”
In the end, it took longer than merely running at full speed toward the coordinates Charlotte had left. Gideon and the others had stopped them on their way out, alerted that their wolf, Chloe, was out of contact, as well.
Fear edged along Bram’s spine, and he did his best to ignore it. He couldn’t function if he were lead by fear alone. Anger and determination he could work with, but not mind-numbing fear. Shane hadn’t said another word after they’d told the Talon Alpha what they knew. Instead, the other man shifted from foot to foot while they waited, and then, in the car ride over, had fisted his hands on his tense thighs, his gaze focused as he went through whatever he needed to in his head.
Bram had seen the man work before, but this was a new kind of intensity. Shane was a soldier, through and through, and now he was wolf besides. Meaning everything he did from now on would have a new power behind it.
Wolf Betrayed Page 16
