by Maggie Walsh
Fane smiled as he clapped Dell on the back. “I totally understand. Here’s these two strangers coming into your pack, one who you’ve heard all these horrible stories about, which are not unfounded, but then he shows up with a vampire, unannounced. I get it, Dell, and so does Oberon, which is why he hasn’t said anything to you about your tails.” Fane smirked. “And he hasn’t taken offense by Lysander, that the guy is only being friends with him because the Alpha ordered it. He really does like the guy and considers him a friend.”
Dell shook his head. “Damn, can’t get anything over on you guys, huh? I should have known with the two of you being Julius’s personal guards. And by the way, Lysander already told me he would do what I asked because I ordered it, but he thinks it sucks because he really likes Oberon too and doesn’t feel comfortable about snitching on a friend. I told him he could back off and not worry about it anymore. I know Oberon’s a good guy and doesn’t mean any harm to this pack, and I do consider him pack, Fane, just like I do you. I also know that the two of you went through something really bad when you were being held captive by that guy in Russia, and I think you both need somewhere you can call home, with people who do worry about you and your wellbeing.”
“Thanks, man. I really do appreciate that, and you’re right, we both do need that. Being a part of Julius's nest, we were both loyal and we respect Julius greatly, but neither of us truly felt like we could just be ourselves. We do here. Well, I do and Oberon is working on it. He has a few things to still work on, but seeing him with Taavi and Sauli today, has given me hope that he’s almost there. So, tell me, did you know they were all mates? I mean, Legion, Taavi, and Sauli. You already figured that because of their commitment to each other that they may be true mates, but did you have an idea that Oberon was their Linchpin?”
Dell smirked. “Yes. I had a feeling from the few times I saw them anywhere within proximity of each other, but the other week at the pub when Oberon went into the bathroom, I watched Legion make a beeline for him. Then they were in there for a while before Legion came out looking like the cat that ate the canary. Or in this case, the Dominant wolf who staked a claim on the submissive vampire. One... I know Legion loves his boys and he would never cheat on them, so for him to go after Oberon, it meant something big, like a mate connection. Two... Oberon never came out of the bathroom, but he did leave. I figured he snuck out the back door, but I also figured he was upset because he left his coat at the pub and went out into the cold, which I know he hates. Then, three... he volunteered to go to Ridge’s to help over there for a few days. I assumed he was trying to get some space, maybe run away from someone. It was then that I thought he may be their Linchpin. I know Legion can be very controlling and dominating, but he’s exactly what Sauli and Taavi need. I only hope he can show patience when it comes to Oberon. I have a feeling he needs it.”
Fane sighed. “You’re right, he does, but I honestly think Legion is exactly what Oberon needs too. When we were in that place... Gregor was a sick motherfucker. He tried to break me, make me submit, but he learned quickly that wasn’t happening. So, he changed tactics and tortured me, trying to turn me into a killer who he could sell to some fuck to use as a mercenary or hitman, but what they did to Oberon…” Fane shook his head as sadness filled him.
“I can guess with his submissive tendencies that Gregor figured that out pretty quickly and used it against him,” Dell surmised.
“You have no idea. That bastard... He was going to sell Oberon on the Black Market to a client who wanted a slave, if you get what I mean,” Fane replied, and gave Dell a pointed look.
“Fuck. These sick bastards really do need to be stopped. I’m sure that messed with Oberon’s head.”
“More than you know. Oberon’s father was one of those sick fuckers. He ruled his nest with an iron fist and demanded his son be the vampire he was supposed to be. In his eyes, vampires were always the hunter, the ones on top, and everyone else was beneath them. When Oberon started showing a submissive side, his father freaked out. He wasn’t happy that Oberon was gay, but as you know, with vampires they really don’t care the sex of their partners, but Harlan Christiani didn’t really accept that in his nest. When Harlan found his son submitting to a Dom, the man went batshit crazy. He took Oberon to some conversion camp for vampires.”
Dell’s eyes went wide. “They really have those? I’ve heard rumors, but I always thought it was bullshit.”
Fane nodded. “Oh, they have them. Those bastards tortured Oberon. They were trying to beat the submission out of him and make him a real vampire male. It’s vampires like Harlan Christiani that have given vampires a bad rep, and leaders like Julius who have tried to change that.”
“So what happened? How did Oberon survive? Is his father still out there somewhere and might come looking for him?”
“No. Harlan was killed by a warring nest about twenty years ago. His whole nest was wiped out. The asshole spent so much time ruling over his people to be the Alpha male of the paranormal world, but he forgot one thing. He never actually trained any of them to fight. They were all worse than I was in my pampered pet days of youth. A bunch of elitist assholes. Anyway, Oberon spent a little over six months in that hellhole before he managed to escape. He spent the next year on his own, running and hiding from his father, living on the streets. Then he found me and the two of us have been by each other's sides ever since. When Gregor had his hands on us, the things he and his men did to Oberon, it really messed with him.”
“I can only imagine. I don’t need the gruesome details to figure out what they did. It sounds like Oberon is our first new pack member to need somewhere to learn how to go on with his life and to find some happiness. I’m glad you both found your way here. I only hope that Legion is what Oberon needs,” Dell replied, then turned and looked back at the empty court.
Fane smiled, thinking about what he knew of Legion so far and what he knew his best friend needed. “Actually, I think Legion may be exactly what Oberon needs to finally accept himself for who he is and what he wants. Also, we can’t forget those two little cuties who are also his mates. I don’t know Sauli and Taavi that much yet, but from what I do know, they both seem like very loyal and loving men who will care for Oberon.”
Dell chuckled. “You’re right. Once they fall in love with him, those boys will surround him with love all the time.”
Fane’s smile widened thinking about his best friend finally having all the love he deserved, as well as all the kinkiness he needed. “Good.”
CHAPTER 7
Oberon
He had found his mates. His true mates. Mates. As in more than one. Three. Three men made just for him. Three men that the gods thought would be what was best for him. And he was their Linchpin? Holy fucking hell, he was the Linchpin! Oberon had been a bit skeptical when they first heard about this whole Linchpin thing, but now seeing it for himself. Experiencing it firsthand. Oberon was a believer.
He had felt this overwhelming need to be with Legion. This thing inside him that was taking control, and that was why he had run and gone to Ridge’s pack for a few days. He needed some space to try to get control over himself again. When Legion had him pressed against the wall in the men’s room at the pub, Oberon had been so lost to his lust, but he just figured it was the dark desires inside him clawing to get out again, but now... now he knew better.
Yes, okay, sure, it was his dark desires and all the kinky things he craved so damn much that were driving his need to drop to his knees and submit to the man, but now Oberon knew it was so much more. It was also the mating pull trying to break free, but without his other two mates present it hadn’t happened.
Then, when he spent time earlier in the day with those two amazingly beautiful men, Taavi and Sauli, Oberon had been so attracted to both of them and wanted to be near them. He had felt this draw to touch them, kiss them, but had no idea why it was so strong because they were both submissives, and deep down in his heart he truly craved to be dominated,
but there were times in his life where he did love being the one on top, the one to slide his cock into a tight ass, and both Sauli and Taavi made him want that so damn much. Now he understood it all. Now he knew.
From everything he had spoken to Taavi and Sauli about, and now walking into Dell’s art room and smelling his mates... all three of them, Oberon was finally convinced that maybe what Fane had been telling him for years, and now what Sauli and Taavi corroborated, his dark, kinky, wants and needs were a part of him. They were who he was. If not, then why would the gods give him a mate who was so damn dominating? Why would they make Legion his mate if Oberon was the hunter, the Dominant, that his father insisted he be? There was no way.
Even when his father, the great Harlan Christiani was being a total piece of shit, which was all the time, the man still spoke of how the gods made their true mates perfect for them. He and others had always said that true mates were the yin and yang to one another's souls, so if that was true, and Oberon believed it was, then Legion’s domination and kink would match Oberon’s, as well as Taavi and Sauli’s. They were all what he needed in his life. They were all perfectly made for one another.
When he had talked to Sauli and Taavi earlier, Oberon’s heart filled with hope that those men were his true mates and that what they said about his needs, wants, and desires were true, and now he knew they were right and that coming here to this pack of Tundra Wolves and how they lived was the Gods way of helping him find himself and his place in the world. He had seen how these wolves were, how they didn’t care what anyone's kink was. It was just a way of life here. Oberon smiled wide as his heart felt lighter. Here he could finally be free. Here he could be who he really was and was always meant to be, and there was nothing wrong with it. Here, with these wolves, Oberon could embrace his submission and his dark desires and let his kink free and not be ashamed of any of it.
The thought of all the delicious things he wanted so badly for Legion to do to him made Oberon’s cock hard. He wanted the man to control him, take him, force him. He wanted to fight and then give in, submit fully and accept Legion’s will over him. The things Legion said he wanted to do to him started to run through his head like a mantra, and Oberon groaned. Would Legion really leash him and make him crawl on all fours? Would he spank him, then fuck him? Tie him down and force Oberon to swallow his cock? Fuck, how he wanted all of that and more. Oberon wanted to be used as a sex slave, but at the same time needed to know that he meant something to the one controlling him. That there was more than just the pleasures of the flesh that were involved. To have someone love him and take care of all his needs sounded like heaven on earth. And now he had three someones.
When he smelled all of their scents mixed together, it was the most intensely fulfilling moment of his life. In that moment, the fog that muddled his head, his whole life, just lifted and everything became so clear. And in that moment, Oberon had to control himself as he stood and listened to Dell and Julius explain to his mates all about the Reckoning and The Purge and what it all meant, but it was a hard internal battle. With smelling their scents as well as their blood, Oberon just wanted to grab each one of them and bite them, claim them, taste them.
A thought hit him and Oberon gasped in horror. His mates hadn’t taken the oath of secrecy! He spun around to go back to talk to Dell, but stopped short when he saw Julius standing there, only a few feet away, and the man was watching him. “Julius?”
His old leader had been staring at him deeply, concern and curiosity written all over his face, but now his look changed. Julius’s eyes filled with happiness and a slow smile spread across his lips. “You’ve finally figured it out, haven’t you?” Julius asked, as he took a step closer.
Oberon returned the smile, as he nodded. “Yeah, I think I did.”
“Mates are made perfectly for each other. They will be everything you need, want, and desire, as you will be for them. It is said that true mates share a soul, Oberon. I have told you this before. That is why they are so perfectly matched,” Julius said, as he continued to walk to him, until Julius now stood only a foot away. “They will be everything you ever want and everything you need. I only wish you didn’t have to suffer so much for so long to figure it out.” Julius placed a hand on his shoulder. “Don’t let anyone stop you anymore from the life and happiness you want and deserve, Oberon. Not your father, not Gregor, and not yourself. Grab onto those men with both hands and hold on tight, then never let them go. Release all the bullshit from your father’s bigoted words, and all the doubt that was forced into your head, and embrace who you are. All of you. Be the submissive to your true mate that you have always dreamed of being, and the lover to your other two mates that they need.”
Oberon looked at Julius with wide eyes, as he whispered, “You knew? Shit, duh, of course you did. It’s that freaky you see all shit, isn’t it?” Oberon chuckled lightly.
Julius’s smile widened as he too chuckled. “I never hid the fact that I met your father a few times over my life, and how I always detested that man and what he was doing to the vampires in his nest. I was always honest with you about how I was the one who wiped him and his people off the face of the map, and how their evil ideals had to go. As I have said before, Oberon, vampires are no different than any other paranormal species. We all may have different needs and desires, but we all have them. Some are more submissive, some more dominant, while others are vanilla, but none of us should be forced to go against who we are. Even vampires. There is absolutely no shame in submitting to a lover, especially a true mate. Have you ever looked down on the men who you took?”
Oberon shook his head. “Of course not.”
“And what about Marlo? Do you think he should be ashamed of the things he lets Fane do to him? The things he wants Fane to do to him? The things he allows his mate to do?”
“Hell, no,” Oberon quickly exclaimed. “Marlo is the most wonderful man I have ever met. He’s perfect for Fane. The two of them are so perfect together.”
“Exactly. Because they are true mates. And if Fane ever tried to do something to Marlo that he didn’t want to, I have a feeling that fierce little omega would cut Fane’s dick off,” Julius said with a chuckle.
Oberon laughed, as he nodded. “That’s for damn sure. Marlo would never let Fane get away with anything he didn’t want.”
“So do you see now? Just looking at Marlo and Fane and knowing how their dynamic works, you must see how special it is. There is no shame or guilt. Only acceptance and love. That is what we all want, Oberon. To be accepted for who we are, all of us, and to be loved. When the Purge comes, I hope those who are left behind will remember that and make what is left of the world better than it is today and everyone is accepted for who they are and certainly not judged or condemned for who they love. I’m thrilled that you and Fane will be two of those people left behind to pick up the pieces when the rest of us are gone. Because of the lives you have both lived you will be able to pass down your experiences to others and bring my words to fruition. I don’t think that there will ever be true peace in the world, but if everyone looks at what happened and realizes that things need to change and accept each other, then there is more hope of a brighter future for this planet.”
“I couldn’t agree more, Julius,” Dell said from behind him.
Oberon turned to look over his shoulder and found Dell and Fane standing there. He turned back to Julius, and smiled. “I agree too, and I hope we can accomplish that as well.” He then turned to face Dell again, and asked, “Shouldn’t we have my mates take the oath to the gods before something bad happens? Even by mistake.”
Dell nodded. “Yes. Fane and I were looking for you two so that we can do that. I had Jude and Marlo keep your mates at my house to wait for us.”
“I know what Legion did was wrong. He should have never been disrespectful to you and I’m sorry, Dell, you don’t deserve that. You are truly a good leader, a wonderful Alpha. Are you going to punish Legion for what he did?” Oberon asked,
suddenly feeling sick to his stomach thinking about what Legion had said and done to Dell, and how his mate had challenged their Alpha.
Dell smiled as he shook his head and slid his hands into the pockets of his coat. “No. I understand he was under stress at the moment and wasn’t in his right mind. And as Fane pointed out, it sounded like Legion’s wolf was taking over. Which is normal when finding your mate... well three mates.”
“Wolf Haze,” Julius said matter-of-factly.
Dell looked to him. “Yes, we believe it was Wolf Haze or Rage, whichever you prefer to say, but the outcome is still the same. I think Legion’s wolf will calm down once he claims his mates.” Dell chuckled. “It may also calm Legion down a bit too. But, no, Oberon, I will not be punishing him in any way. I won’t kill him or ban him. I’m not a complete asshole.”
“You’re not an asshole at all, Dell. I’m honored that you have accepted me into your pack and I would never follow or be loyal to an asshole. So, what about the challenge?” Oberon asked.
Dell sighed heavily. “If he keeps attacking as he did, then I will have no other choice, Oberon, but I hope it doesn’t come down to that. Legion is a friend and a good man. He’s loyal to this pack and his people, and is very important to Taavi and Sauli, and you now. Let’s go have them take the oath, then take it from there, okay?”
Oberon nodded. “Okay, sounds good. Thank you, Alpha.”
“I have a question,” Fane asked, as they all turned to head back to Dell’s.
“Okay, shoot,” Dell replied.
Fane shot him a mischievous look then looked back to Dell. Oberon had a strange feeling about what was about to come out of his friend’s mouth. “I know how wolves claim their mates because hell, I’ve claimed mine, but how do vampires claim theirs? And how does it work between a wolf and a vampire?”
