“This body is mine, isn’t it?” he asked and she nodded.
“I told you I’m not good at this.” She sighed and looked up at Argo. “As you can see, I’m not perfect, Argo. I’m far from it, but I’d be honored to have the three of you in our inner circle.” She looked down, but Argo wasn’t having it.
“No, look at me, Wolf,” he ordered and her gaze jumped to his. “I don’t hate you, but I don’t know you either. I consider it an honor to be asked, and I accept.” He leaned down and kissed her lips softly. “You smell so good and I can’t wait to learn more about you.” He tapped her nose and stood.
Her lip started to tremble and she looked up at Bo. “Oh hell.” Bo hugged her tight. “I tried to tell you they didn’t hate you.” He held her tight as she buried her head in his chest. “Let me explain a few things. It seems there a few of our members are racist asses and have made a point of making her miserable over the last few months.”
The snarls that came from the men shocked her and she turned to peek at each man, seeing the answer. “Who would disrespect your woman?” White Eagle snapped and turned his gaze to her. “Tell us.” His voice softened but still had a bite to it.
“A number of people feel this way. There is nothing anyone can do about it. Everyone has their own idea of what is right and what is not,” Shelly said, shrugging.
“You’re protecting them?” Buck asked with a hint of anger.
“No, but I don’t want a witch hunt either. I need to try to change their minds. Maybe in time, when they see us together more—”
They all shook their heads.
“Did you know Buck’s mother is a vampire, and his father a lion? If anyone knows about prejudice, it would be him,” Bo announced as said man came over and knelt next to them.
Buck took her hand into his. “Sweetie, prejudiced people will not change, no matter what you do. They could also cause tension among the different packs. I need to know who these people are so I can keep an eye on them.” He looked up at Bo. “I accept your offer. The thought of someone treating this beautiful woman badly has my cat clawing my insides,” he said. His pale features, light blond hair and blue eyes always drew everyone’s attention, including hers. He had a tattoo of a massive dragon running up what she could see of his arm.
“Put Melissa Randle on that list. There are two others you’ll have to watch, but I don’t know their names. I’ll point them out to you at the meeting. Little Wolf, please give Buck any names you know,” Bo said and she sighed.
“I’d rather wait till we know for sure how they feel. Melissa was one of the worst.” She frowned. “There was the one man at the home. He didn’t say anything directly to me, but the looks he gave me while he was talking to Melissa…”
She jumped when Bo snarled and tensed under her. “Who is this man?”
“As I said, I didn’t speak with him. Why are you more upset about him than you are about Melissa?” Shelly shivered as a cold gust of wind brushed over her skin. “Did someone open the damn door?”
The blanket she had reached for covered her body as Bo stood and handed her to Buck. The other two men stood in around them and scanned the room. “I know you’re there. Show yourself,” Bo snarled.
A form appeared before him. It was the same man she had seen at the orphan home. “My name is—”
“I know who you are, and I want to know why I shouldn’t rip you apart right now for entering my home without being invited.” As the words left his mouth, Valda ran in with four of her men.
“Are you okay? I was working on the sensors when I noticed the unauthorized entry.” She stepped up next to Buck while Owen, Griffin and Sar stood beside Bo and his men. Her other mate, Drand, nodded to Buck and they all turned to listen to the intruder.
“Why is my entrance any different than theirs? You’ve been around the others too long. Maybe we need another to step into your shoes. One who isn’t so worried about the others.” His gaze flew to Shelly and he sneered. “Although she did have a nice—”
She cringed as Bo roared before jumping on the man, but he vanished. His laugh filled the air. “Soon, Alpha, I’ll have it all. Maybe I’ll even keep your little woman around.” The ground beneath their feet shook and Valda met Drand’s gaze.
“He’s the person who set off the warnings,” she said, then turned to look at Shelly. “For the last month, something or someone that shouldn’t be here has been playing havoc with the ship. We’ve been working with Aurora and her mates to find out what was responsible. I just can’t understand how he got onto the ship. Its natural defenses should have stopped him from coming aboard.” She shook her head, looking frustrated.
Buck frowned. “He was fine when he came aboard. At least the last time I spoke with him. Nikola will have to be notified.”
“There is no need.” Nikola appeared in the room. “I’m sorry, Bo. I sensed something wasn’t right with him when I ran into him a couple weeks ago. I should have removed his powers then.”
Bo came over and lifted Shelly out of Buck’s arms. “How could you have known Trest would go mad? I just feel sorry for his mother and father. He’s all they have.”
“You would think he wouldn’t be such a racist jerk because he has parents who are different.” Shelly snuggled into his arms when his arm brushed against her butt plug. “Stop it!” she said over their connection.
“Thank you for coming here and backing us up. I really appreciate it, Owen.” Bo addressed the head of their family, who nodded. “We need to find him now, before he can do any damage.” Owen looked at Nikola, who laughed.
“Stop worrying so much, Owen. You didn’t offend me. I will take care of this problem now. Good evening and congrats on the Reticulon. It’s a wise move.” With that the Fae King vanished from their room as Argo walked Valda and her men out, thanking them again.
Without giving her warning, Bo sat back down on the floor and flipped Shelly onto her stomach. “You should have told me immediately about Trest.” He lifted the robe from her backside and smacked her ass.
“Do you know how dangerous that man is?” Bo snarled as four more punishing smacks landed on her butt.
“Stop! I didn’t know. Bo, please…” she cried and tried to get away from him. The smacks stopped, but his body shook below her.
“Go to our room, Shelly.” Bo released her and she jumped up. “Go. I’m too furious to speak right now.”
She turned and headed for their room, then stopped. Without turning around, Shelly took a deep breath. “I love you, Bo, but if you touch me again in anger, it will be the last time.” With her head held high and naked except for the butt plug, she made her way to the bathroom.
Not caring what he thought, Shelly stepped inside and slammed the door, then reached behind her and pulled the thing out of her ass. It hit the garbage can with a thud. Her hands were shaking. He hadn’t hurt her and she knew he never would, but the thought of him coming that close was enough to put the fear back in her.
She slid down the door and hugged her legs, rocking. Flashes of the other man whom she’d thought had been her mate came out of nowhere. Shelly could even hear his fists pounding on her face, stomach and legs, making her cringe and rub the parts of her body that were all healed.
A pound on the door broke the nightmarish flashback and she jumped. “What?” she whispered, but knew Bo had heard her.
“Move away from the door, Little Wolf, and let me in?”
“Just go away, Bo. I’m fine.” She stood and made her way to the sink. Looking in the mirror, she cringed. Her eyelids were swollen and she had dark circles under her eyes. For the last week, she hadn’t been sleeping well, but then again, Bo had been gone three out of five of those nights, working.
The door opened slowly and Bo stepped in behind her. “I’m sorry. I’ve never done that in my life. There is no excuse, but the thought of that madman even being close to you…” Tears slid down his face. “You are my world, Little Wolf. Every day I rise and look at you, wo
ndering how I was so lucky to find you.”
“Bo, stop, you didn’t hurt me. I think inside you knew not to go past that point.” She turned and looked up at him. “I haven’t slept well and with all the stress we’ve been under, it’s no wonder we both didn’t snap.” Shelly reached up and cupped his cheek. “I’m going to bed. Are you coming?” She stepped away from him and saw Buck, Argo and White Eagle standing behind him.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t realize you were still here.” She looked back at Bo, not knowing what was going on.
Chapter Six
Her tired and haunted eyes turned to him, questioning. Again, he wanted to kick himself in the ass as his heart broke at the fear and unknown he saw in her gaze. When he had seen the pictures in her mind, he had hurried to the bathroom door. He scooped her up in his arms and hugged her tight. “Let’s get you into bed.”
At least she didn’t flinch when he picked her up. It had taken him weeks to bring Shelly out of the shell she had gone into after that man had harmed her, and in one move of anger, he’d brought back her nightmares.
They stepped into the bedroom and she gasped. The room and bed were twice as big now. Shelly looked up at him as Argo flipped back the covers of the bed and turned, holding out his arms to her.
“Wait on those questions,” Bo said and placed her into Argo’s arms before sliding into bed and holding out his hands to her. Bo took hold of her and tucked her small body up against his.
“Until these three meet their mates, they will be living with us, Shelly. After they find their mates, they will stay here but in separate rooms. Tomorrow they will bring their belongings here. It’s up to them if they want to sleep with us.” He pulled up the covers as the three men stripped and joined them in bed.
“Um, okay. Can we talk tomorrow?” she mumbled and snuggled against him. Her eyes drooped as he stared down at her.
Argo snorted next to him. “She’s out.”
He closed his eyes and sighed before opening them and turning to Argo. “I screwed up tonight. She’ll have nightmares and I set them off. I haven’t done anything this stupid in ages.”
Argo lay on his side, staring at her sleeping form. “She’s been abused in the past. Who do we need to hunt down?” He reached over and ran his finger down her cheek. He was a man of simple words.
“Her brothers took care of him before all of this started, but sometimes things trigger her memories. The three of you should know all about our woman, including what scares her. When I first saw her, she was healing from what that ass did to her. Our Little Wolf might act tough, but under all that, she’s scared and afraid to do anything wrong.” He turned his attention to Buck.
“Tomorrow we’re going to the orphan house. My woman has grown attached to a little girl there, and I need you to do the background check on her. I don’t want us all to get attached and have someone yank this child from us if there is a chance her parents or other relatives are still around. You’ll accompany us and you can also deal with the other problem at the house.”
Buck nodded. “It will be done, but you know that Trest has opened the door for others. This isn’t going to stop until the last person challenges you.” Buck lay at the end of the bed, caressing Shelly’s leg as if needing to touch her.
“I’m well aware of this. It’s another reason I need you three. I wouldn’t have asked you to join our family otherwise. Over the last three weeks, each of you had time around Little Wolf and my cat tolerated it. Even now, he doesn’t want to tear you apart. You are part of my family. We will announce the Reticulon tomorrow at the den house during breakfast.” He closed his eyes.
“White Eagle, when I make the announcement, you will be watching and taking note of who seems like they may take the opportunity to challenge me this week, because that is when the challenges will come. Once the circle is closed, no one will be able to do anything.”
“Another reason to have one of us with her at all times. They’ll be looking to take her out,” Argo snarled and Bo couldn’t help but grin. Already Argo had started to form a bond with his Little Wolf. He knew the two of them would be the closest.
“Sleep now. We have a big day tomorrow,” Bo said.
* * *
Something wasn’t right. His eyes snapped open and Bo sat up in bed, looking around. His Little Wolf wasn’t in bed with them. Next to him, Argo sat up instantly, scanning the room for a threat.
“Where’s Shelly? It’s early!” White Eagle slipped out of the bed. He lifted his nose to the air. “She’s still in the house. Would you mind if I go to her?”
“Go. I’ll hop in the shower since I know there will be no going back to sleep once she’s up. Tread lightly. She’s still working on accepting all of this.” Bo stretched as soon as he got out of the bed. “I can hear her working it through her mind.” He sighed. “She thinks it’s cheating on me. She still doesn’t understand.”
A quick shower was in order. The sooner his Little Wolf realized that having these men here wasn’t cheating, the better. He stepped into the shower and turned on the hot water. The soothing pounding of the spray on his back had him closing his eyes, until he heard the curtain open and his woman stepped in.
“Can I join you?” Her voice was a mere whisper with uncertainty.
“Little Wolf.” Bo slid his hands around her waist and pulled her to him, hugging her tight. “You need to stop this line of thinking. You have not failed me, baby.” He leaned back and lifted her chin with his finger.
“The Reticulon is just another part of our world. You are still my mate, my wife. Nothing and no one will ever change that. Argo, White Eagle and Buck are now members of our family, that is all. They will love you and protect you. Look at Jaycee and the other women. They have other men. This is like this, only they won’t be mating you.” At least he didn’t think so. He already saw some signs he’d have to watch. “They are here because they want to be part of our lives, and I want them in our lives for you and for me.”
Her eyes filled with tears. “But did I—”
He slapped her wet butt. “Enough, Little Wolf. You did nothing wrong, but you are making me very angry with all this self-doubt. I would tell you if something was wrong. I won’t hide anything from you. Do you trust me?”
She nodded and hugged him tight. “With my life, Bo. I’m sorry I’m so insecure. I’ll try to work on it.”
“Shelly, after what you’ve been through, it’s normal, but you can’t let this doubt in yourself take over your life. Now, down on your knees, woman, and suck my cock. You left the bed before I could have my morning taste of you.” He grabbed a handful of her hair and jerked her head back.
“Don’t do it again. When I wake up I want my woman next to me. You scared the shit out of all us.” He lowered his head and gave her a hard, quick kiss. “Now, down.”
Her grin and the flash of heat in her eyes had him moaning as she kissed a path down his body. “Hmm, my lollipop.” She licked from his balls to the tip of his cock before taking him into her mouth.
“That’s it, my Little Wolf, suck me till I come in your mouth.” Bo knew he wouldn’t last long in her hot mouth. That was the only reason he’d ordered her to kneel. Bo knew her knees were very sensitive and Shelly could not handle being on them long without pain.
“That’s it, baby, take it as far as you can,” he said, pumping in and out of her mouth. Her other hand cupped his balls, squeezing them. “I’m going to come!” he snarled after a few minutes. He pumped twice more into her mouth, watching her beautiful body before he released his seed down her throat.
“Little Wolf, your little mouth is dangerous.” Bo caught his breath and helped her up. “I love you, baby. Never, never forget that,” he whispered before covering her mouth in a tender kiss. Bo would never get enough of her kisses, of their tongues mating in a sensual game of touching and seeking.
With regret, Bo lifted his head and smiled. “We need to clean up and get ready. We’re going to have breakfast with the pack.
I want the announcement made this morning.”
She stiffened, but accepted his decision.
He didn’t say any more while they quickly washed each other and stepped out of the shower. Argo was there with a large towel.
“Come on, let’s get you dressed.” Bo laughed when she squealed.
Argo wrapped the towel around her, picked her up and put her over his shoulder, and squeezed her ass cheek. “Bo was right. You have the cutest little ass.”
“Damn it, Argo, put me down,” she cried and Bo heard the slap from the bathroom.
“Hush, we’re going to help you get dressed,” Argo said as Bo moved to the bathroom door, leaning against the frame watching.
Sure enough, White Eagle held her blouse out for her. “You will wear no bra. As your mate has stated, he will want constant access to your beautiful body, as will we.” White Eagle leaned down and sucked on her nipple before straightening up. “And no, we won’t sink our cocks into you until the Reticulon. Even after that, Shelly, Bo is your mate. We won’t take you unless he’s okay with it. We will protect you with our lives, love you as if you were our own, and respect you as our queen. That is our promise.” The three of them recited the last sentence at the same time.
Her lip started to quiver and her gaze jumped to Bo’s. “I told you,” he said. The next move was hers.
* * *
Not one for wanting attention drawn to her, Shelly stood in her bedroom with four pairs of eyes on her. As Bo’s men recited their pledge to her, she took in each man. Each one was obviously turned on by her. They all packed an impressive hard-on, but the intense emotions swarming her were what affected her most. She felt as though she could actually feel their emotions and their thoughts, and it scared the crap out of her. But Shelly was tired of being afraid.
She had no doubt these men would do all that they’d promised. Each one could easily have been Alpha of their den, but they chose to stand behind her man. She kneeled and bowed her head. “You honor me and now I honor you.” She looked up and grinned. “But I can’t promise to be good all the time, as our Alpha can testify,” she teased, trying to break some of the tension in the room
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