by Sam Hall
I watched her stare at her son, her fingers curled up tight into fists. She could have used that alpha whip of a voice on him, forced him into compliance, and I could see what it took to stop herself from doing just that. Did he respect that at all? I wondered as I looked into his face, it was a mask of pure defiance.
"Fine," she grated, and then turned on her heel to leave.
That stillness I'd craved before settled over the back yard. The moon had risen, and now that it wasn't drowned out by people talking, I could hear the hush of the breeze in the trees and the distant sound of birds calling. My spine sagged, like I'd run a marathon or something, and I guess emotionally, I had. I rubbed at my face. It was almost too much to process right now.
"So that's it?" I looked up to see Shaun standing near the other guys. "No more petitions?"
Shit, I'd forgotten all about Shaun. I felt a pang at that. He'd been the first guy I'd connected with here, the memory of him curled up on the porch of the honeymoon cottage covered in blood flashing up. How had I forgotten him?
You didn't go to him when you were disturbed, my Tirian said. You did not seek his strength. There was almost a sneer in that last statement. You did not feel his absence during the petitioning.
So what are you saying? That I'm just not that into Shaun?
She didn't reply, just stared me down, those green eyes burning into mine.
"Shaun..." I said, but didn't know what to say next.
He just stood there for a moment, blue eyes staring just as my Tirian's had, but they encapsulated a whole world of pain within them. The thing was, I was surprised to see it. He never gave away much, never really talked about himself. I didn’t want to see him hurting, but I had no idea how to prevent that. I walked towards him, hoping I could work it out as I went along. The problem was, his face said he knew.
"Mate, she said she's still finding her way in this. It doesn't mean—" Jack started, but Shaun shook his head, tossing his beer bottle into the nearby bin and then ran off, leaping over the fence and disappearing into the darkness. “I fucking hate this process,” Jack said, eyes trained on the ground. “C’mon, Hawk, let’s get you set up.”
And then there were ten.
I turned to Slade's family and said, "I'm so sorry about all of this." What the hell must they think of me?
"Oh, don't you worry a bit," Cheryl said, giving me the best mumsy smile ever. "This was nothing compared to some petitioning ceremonies. No blood spilled, no broken bones, it's almost a disappointment, really." Her grin grew cheeky and suddenly, I could see the family resemblance. "Rest up, my love, if you can with that tribe of men, and we'll see you for a family dinner in a few days and get to know each other then."
"Good luck," Lisa said, casting an eye over the guys.
"Lisa, stop stirring the pot," Brock said.
"Any of them give you grief, including our boy, you just tell us," Angus said.
“Especially our boy. Always feel free to come to us. No matter what the issue is," Jim said.
I nodded, feeling a swell in my throat as I did so. I'd been doing it on my own for some time now, my brother fairly uninterested when I'd told him the troubles I was having when I was looking for work. To be a part of a family again... I couldn't thank them or make some socially appropriate response that they absolutely deserved, but they seemed to sense what I was feeling, if the pats on the shoulder were anything to go by. And then they were gone too.
I went to pick up some beer bottles left on tables, but Slade shook his head.
"The clean-up crew'll be by tomorrow. Don't get used to it, they just do it for the newly bonded, assuming we're too busy producing the next generation to worry about such prosaic things. C'mon inside, princess, you look completely done in."
I nodded, grateful in that moment that I didn't have to explain or fight to get them to understand how I felt. It was a little scary though, because giving me permission to just feel brought with it a sudden onslaught of emotion. A hot rush of gratitude when Slade took my hand and led me inside, a deep sense of wonder at what I felt come rushing down the bond. I kicked off my shoes by the back door, the cool of the wooden floorboards a slight shock as we padded deeper into the house. I was almost glad most of the lights were off, the details of the new place shrouded in a soft gloom. I couldn't take any more new right now, but of course, the universe wasn't going to let that fly.
"The main suite is through here," Slade said, and he pushed open the door, then we all stopped.
There, standing next to the largest, widest bed I'd ever seen, were Jack and Hawk. That golden chest I'd seen hints of through open shirts was on full display, the long, lithe muscles working as he kissed Hawk with everything he had.
What Brandon and Aaron had together was just play, I realised as I watched, unable to move from the shock of it. I'd never seen it before, but this was someone's soul passed to another in a kiss. And Hawk took it, returning it with equal passion, the big broad muscles in his shoulders quivering with the effort of holding back as he clawed at his lover. Finally, Jack pulled away, wiping his mouth on his hand and taking a step away, then he returned, as if they were pulled to each other like magnets.
"Stay here. I'll let the boss know what's going on. I'll be back, if I'm allowed." He glanced at me. "Tomorrow if possible, if not, then later in the week."
"I love you," Hawk rumbled.
"Don't say it." Jack's voice broke, his eyes going wild. "You know I know, so don't say it."
Hawk went to pull him back, but the blond man strode over to me, fire flashing in his eyes. "Give him a chance. Please." The plea was tacked on as an afterthought. "He's gonna kill me for saying this, but if I don't, he'll just simmer there, all torn up with longing and need, and you'll never know better."
"Jack!" Hawk's voice was ragged.
"I'm not asking you to bond with him, I know I can't ask for that, but give him a chance. I'll give you whatever you want, fight any bloke. Fuck, I'll bring you my bloody mother's head, if that's what it takes. Just, please."
My hand went automatically to his hip, the warm skin just above the low waistband of his work pants. I don't know why I did it. Maybe because people had reached out to me when I was hurting, and I was bloody grateful for it. Maybe it was just all that perfect wrought flesh so close to mine. Strange flesh, a whole undiscovered country. When I looked up, his pupils had blown huge and black, the green of his eyes just a thin rim.
"Let me come for you in a day or two," he said. His eyes flicked up when a growl came from the guys at my back. "After you've had some time to settle in with them. Whatever you want, love." His hand took mine from his hip and placed it on his cheek. "I'll organise it."
‘Yes’ was sitting there on the tip of my tongue, but then I felt that thrumming bond between Slade and I as he stepped closer.
"What do you think?" I said.
"You want to give him a go. I can smell it. It's your decision, but I say go for it, if that's what you want." He turned to Jack. "You fucking hurt her, and I'll break every bone in that pretty face. You won't be sucking anyone's dick for a time after I get through with you."
"Right back at ya," Jack said, looking over his shoulder at Hawk. "I gotta go before we start fighting or fucking. I'll be in touch."
And with that, he was gone.
It was at this point that we managed to reach peak awkward. Silence covered the room in a thick blanket, choking all reactions and responses. All I could hear was the creaks of the house and the sounds of the guys breathing.
"Sorry about that," Hawk said. "Jack, he can't fucking help himself. Has to try and 'fix' things. Look, you've got a night ahead of you, with your newly bonded and your petitioners. He didn't talk to me about doing this. All my gear’s at home..." His big hand fell limply by his side. "I'll head back there and—"
"Aren't you his token?"
"What? I mean, yeah, I guess. Who even does that shit? Fucking Jack."
"Fucking Jack," Finn agreed, ruefully rubbi
ng his forehead. "He's always pulling stunts like this."
"Not to this degree. His mum already wants to disown him. After this..." Hawk fell silent as he considered it, his eyes filling with pain.
"Didn't I accept you as his token?" I said.
"Yeah, but you were just trying to help him save face. You had to be." Those deep brown eyes searched mine for evidence for or against. "Weren't you?"
"I don't know what I did, to be honest. This day has been..." I rubbed at my eyes, but the ache in my head didn’t subside. "What I really need to do is have a shower, lie down, and have a rest." I turned to Slade. "This is a shit wedding night for you, but I don't think I've got anything else in the tank."
His arm went around my shoulders, and he hugged me to him. "Love, this morning was fucking smoking. My balls are still aching from how hard I came." I snorted at that. "But we're mated now. It's not one long fuck fest. I told you, it’s about who you can live with. I'm knackered myself, to tell you the truth. How about whoever's staying strips off and gets in the shower, and whoever’s leaving fucks off so we can have some sleep?"
"I'm off, unfortunately," Finn said. "All the latitude I got during the heat is now gone. I've got work piled up to the ceiling. I'm gonna have to knock off some paperwork before collapsing in bed. Sorry, love."
"That's OK, I knew that was never going to last. See you tomorrow?"
I hated the wheedling tone in my voice. He'd been a mainstay in my life since arriving in Sanctuary, and the thought of not sleeping beside him felt weird and wrong. He seemed to have no such problem with my tone, smiling and coming in close to hold me.
"Of course, love. Just try to keep the drama to a minimum until I get here after work, yeah?" I nodded, and then he kissed me, long and sweet but obviously trying to hold back the heat for now. "Sleep well and rest up." His eyes flicked over my shoulder. "I think you're going to need it."
"I'm staying," Aaron said, taking Finn's place as he walked out. "For the next two days, if you'll have me. I brought my gear in the car, just in case."
"Of course," I said, throwing my arms around his neck. "You must be fit to burst."
Heat flared in those hazel eyes, and his smile became carnal. "If you knew what I thought about, rubbing one out in the barracks every night..."
"Well, if it was me, it'd be all of those hot soldier boys getting naked and covering you with their cum," I replied.
"This seems to be a recurring fantasy," Slade said drily. "Anything you want to share, love?"
"Oh, you know. One hot guy is awesome, many hot guys is exponentially better. Then, when all of the hot guys are getting off on how sexy each other is..." I heard the sharp intake of Hawk's breath as I shrugged, turning around to see him stare at the four of us. He scanned the group, his expression unreadable, but the shift of his eyes indicated he was searching for something.
"Well, when you decide to put that little fantasy into practise, you give me a call," Brandon said, pulling me back against him, and my arms instinctively went back and around his neck. Aaron watched my breasts pull up higher with rapt interest. "I believe I can add a little something to the scenario."
"You just want more guys to boss about," I said.
"For your pleasure? Always, but not tonight." I almost groaned when he turned me, placing a gentle kiss on my lips. "I think you're right. You're at your limit, and you should respect that."
"Topping from the bottom?" I said, remembering Slade's words.
"Where did you hear...? Slade." I grinned at him. "I'll be by in the morning, I'm bringing your supplies. Later, love."
"Alright, that's that then," Slade said. "I don't know about you guys, but I'm looking forward to enjoying a proper mated quarters shower."
"What?"
Four people shouldn't be able to get excited by a bathroom so much, and yet, here we were. Palatial was the only word for it. With grey marble tiles throughout, the room was dominated by a huge multi-person cubicle with several showerheads and sides built up enough you could plug in and fill the whole area as a bath. A long bench with multiple sinks and mirrors made up the back wall.
"They've kept the loos separate, thank god," Slade said. "Probably because they know your pack’s likely to be a large one. Nice to have a bit of privacy. Alright, let’s test this baby out, then off to bed."
I watched as two of the men started to pull their clothes off. Fuck, my mouth went dry as the big slabs of Aaron’s muscles were revealed. I was fairly tall for a woman, but I felt tiny compared to him. He smiled as he noted my attention and heard the little gasp that came from me as his cock—thick and hard—slapped against his belly as he jerked his pants down.
“Fucking show off,” Slade said as he stepped into the shower and turned the taps. He stood under the rose, groaning when the water started to cover him. “I knew the marrieds had a better setup than us. The water pressure is amazing. Come in, love."
I was going to, really, I was. My hand went to the zipper down the side of my dress, my finger plucking at the zip pull, but as I started to pull it down, Aaron stepped in and turned his shower on.
I was tired, overwhelmed, and flatlining emotionally, yet my eyes couldn't help but follow the rivulets of water as they ran down their bodies. Slade's eyes opened for a second, and he snickered when he saw me standing there. Then Hawk came closer.
His took me in, then the guys, as if trying to determine our relationship in total from this one moment. His brows creased for a second, then he reached down and pulled his shirt over his head.
He was beautiful, of course he was. Doc Hobbes' peacock theory seemed like a valid one. I'd met guys I didn't like here, but none I didn't like the look of. He wasn’t quite as big as Aaron, but taller and bulkier than Slade, and thin black tattoos covered his shoulders. Two Tirians chased each other across his chest, my eyes following the stylised linework down, down, until their muzzles ended, and the finely delineated corrugations of his abs started. He watched me closely as his hands went to the button of his jeans.
"Sweetheart, you say that you're tired, but that’s not how you smell," Aaron called out from the water. My eyes jerked over to him, where he rubbed soap slowly over his torso and then further down. I could hear my breath rasp as his hand closed around his cock. He had to be aching. The last few times he'd been on leave, he'd damn near tore my clothes off in his need to get to me. "Come here, and we'll wash you down."
"This isn't going to end up being just a shower," I growled, then spun around when I heard the sound of Hawk's zipper. His smile was tiny, the merest twist of his lip, but he seemed to very much enjoy the attention he was getting. Then he pulled his jeans down.
There's something that happens when you first see a guy naked. I admit it, I've always had an eye for a fine male form. I've watched crotches, wondering what the hell lurked there, and whether or not it'd be nice getting my hands on it. But when they're naked for the first time, there's a curious vulnerability to it. There's nowhere to hide from the inevitable unspoken questions, the same ones that rocketed through my head when I got undressed. Do I measure up? Do they think I'm attractive? Do they still want to touch me, now they've seen all my lumps and bumps? Well, Hawk need not have any of those worries.
His cock was thick, obscenely so. It may have been because he was similar in breadth to Aaron, just not as long, making it look that much fatter.
"Babe, you're gonna have problems with that," Slade said, then shook his head. "Get your clothes off, and get in here."
When my hand went back to the zipper, I found Hawk had beat me to it. His eyes asked me questions as his fingers closed around the pull. I nodded. I instantly felt the cloth loosen as he slid it down, then his hand moved into the gap he'd created.
His fingertips were hot, one set resting on my waist while the others went to the slim strap on my opposite shoulder. He paused, waiting for my nod before pulling it down. My breasts—still bound in a strapless bra—popped free, his eyes on them as he slid the fabric down, both ha
nds at work now, like a kid who couldn't wait any longer to unwrap his present. I heard a low groan before he reached down, fast, and whipped the skirt up and over my head. Cheryl's beautiful gown was dropped carelessly to the ground. He moved in closer, pausing, then nodding as he reached around to undo my bra. I felt his breath against my collarbone and lifted my head to follow his when he pulled back.
As the cool air brushed against my nipples, they pulled up tight. "Fuck, I'm glad we don't have to work tomorrow," Slade said, his voice raspy. "You'd make a dead man hard, princess."
My eyes jerked around to where he stood under the water, slowly stroking his cock with a shit-eating grin on his face, while Aaron did the same. "Undress her, new boy. Take those panties off that soaking wet cunt, and feel your bloody mouth water as you do so."
Hawk leaned in, more than he needed to do the job, and as his mouth trailed down the space around my body, the only thing I felt was the barest brush of his hair. Then those fingers hooked under the sides of my underwear. He looked up at me, checking in—always checking in—then he pulled them down.
He froze as I stepped out of them, eyes staring up between my legs.
"Probably the first pussy he's ever seen, love. Spread those legs, and show him what he's been missing."
God fucking damn. I had these guys who loved to push me into situations and boss me around, but the problem was—maybe due to lust, or maybe due to some hidden ability the males here had to survive dominant females—their voices grew hypnotic. I'd find myself following along, even if I balked a little at their prompts. Well, that's what I told myself was happening when I widened my stance.
Hawk's hands went to my ankles to hold me in place, not asking anymore, his eyes trained on my most intimate flesh.
"You've had a lot of cock," Aaron said. "But you need to know where a woman's clit is, if you want to pleasure her. You know where it is?"
Hawk nodded, his hand reaching out automatically, only to stop when he was inches from me.
"Can I?" he asked.
