Chapter 30 - Gage

Chapter 30

Gage

The day before the Long Nights Moon when Luka originally planned to attack, we returned victorious from the Ironwood packlands we’d conquered. Even in the early evening, the moon hung low in the sky. It would be a super moon tomorrow night, and the last full moon of the year.

Pack politics had consumed most of our time in Ironwood before we left.

My newly deepened bonds with all of my Howling Echo packmates took some getting used to, but I’d been thankful to sense how relieved Rowan felt to give up the mantle of pack alpha. The Howling Echo hierarchy returned to normal, and he didn’t feel a shred of regret over his decision. Heath and Flint supported the decision and felt content. And Freya felt lighter and happier the farther we got from her old packlands.

Though Frost Fang was the closest thing we had to a true home, I sensed some level of unease from each of us as we made our return. Tomorrow night, I would lead Frost Fang in a pack run under the full moon. We would celebrate our victory with the alphas who’d fought at our side… and hope that the rest of the pack wasn’t too upset about my leaving Astrid in charge. She’d already messaged me to let me know she and her people had made it back to their packlands without issue.

My phone pinged again, and I raised it to find a message from Bretton. I helped Freya down from the truck before reading it.

“Bretton says your mother and Willow made it safely to Moonblessed,” I told her.

She let out a sigh of relief, even though a sliver of sadness pierced our bond. “Thank goodness. I bet Shante is already showing them around.”

“I’m sure she’ll tell you all about it, moonbeam.” Flint dropped a kiss on the top of her head.

“I hope they’ll both be happy there.” Freya hugged her arms around herself.

“You’ll see them both again someday,” Heath hugged Freya from behind. “Maybe by then your mother will have gotten over her prejudice against witches.”

“Maybe,” Freya said doubtfully.

Frost Fang wolves respectfully stepped out of our way as we headed toward our den. I accepted the help when Bea and Ivar and a few others asked if there was anything to unload. With that handled, I looked toward the pack house.

If Bretton had been here, he would’ve been cajoling me into doing some work for the pack. But right now, Freya’s sorrow nipped at me. I wanted to soothe her, and my wolf refused to be anywhere but by her side.

“Time for something to distract her from her sadness,” I privately told the other three.

Heath smirked at me, then grabbed Freya, hauling her up into his arms. She let out a yelp before smiling up at him. Then she grinned at me, catching me admiring Heath’s biceps from the way he was cradling her body.

“See something you like?” Freya teased.

“I can’t wait for what I’ll see next,” I answered with a grin. “We’re going to take care of you, princess.”

After Heath carried her across the threshold into the den, Flint leaned in and stole a kiss.

“You had us all worried when you went feral and charged into battle,” he admitted.

“But you were fearsome, my feral little wolf,” Heath countered.

“Take her clothes off,” I told the two of them as we all made our way to the bedroom.

“Ooo, bossy pack alpha comes out to play,” Freya grinned.

From what I could sense in the mate bond, Freya had caught on to our plan and was fully on board. Her arousal perfumed the air. I couldn’t think of any better way to mark our den than with that scent.

“It’s time Rowan sampled the spoils of war,” I answered her.

“You did bring us our victory, after all,” Freya agreed, smiling at Rowan.

Heath fell to his knees to remove her panties. He kissed his way up her thighs, teasing her with his breath, but not giving her what she wanted.

With a mental nudge I lifted my chin toward the chair in the corner.

“She’ll sit on your lap so she can watch as the rest of us undress,” I told Rowan.

“No arguments here,” he answered silently as he dropped his pants.

“Come here, lightning bolt,” he said out loud to Freya.

She played bashful, slowly inching her way over to where Rowan sat, his cock already rising. But through the bond I could sense how much she wanted to jump aboard.

“Face us, princess,” I ordered.

Instead, she dropped to her knees between Rowan’s thighs, giving him a few quick licks to bring him to full mast. She pulled her mouth off him with an audible pop, and Rowan grunted, his hips thrusting involuntarily. The sight of his wet length and her red lips as she smiled back at me had my dick hard in seconds.

“I thought I was your queen now,” she teased.

“You’re our warrior wolf,” Heath answered. “And you’ll obey your pack alpha or face the consequences.”

Freya grinned, rising halfway, her hands braced on her knees. “What kind of consequences?”

Heath laughed and obliged her by clapping a hand down on her ass cheek before rubbing in the sting. Through the mate bond, I sensed how the momentary flash of pain turned to pleasure for her. Meanwhile, Flint stripped off his shirt and Rowan palmed himself.

Freya whimpered then whined, “Don’t leave me hanging. You know I like it even.”

“Flint?” Heath prompted.

A crack echoed in the bedroom as Flint’s hand landed against her other ass cheek, leaving a red mark that he smoothed away.

“Now listen to our pack alpha, moonbeam. I’m sure we’ll all like his plan.” Flint laughed inside my mind, adding, “No pressure.”

Freya turned to face me fully, her back to Rowan.

“Good girl,” I said, even though she was being anything but. “Now put her on his lap,” I ordered, standing back to watch.

I crossed my arms, showing her I was the one in charge here. Fully dressed, I let my eyes devour the sight of her naked body as Flint and Heath grabbed her legs and spread them apart. Their biceps bulged as they lifted her, positioning her over Rowan’s ready cock as he held it steady. As they slowly lowered Freya down on him, he moaned shamelessly.

Watching Rowan’s length disappear inside of her had me feeling more impatient by the moment.

“Such gentlemen,” Freya sighed as she finally lowered all the way down on Rowan. “Helping a lady find her seat.”

She was in a playful mood today, but I couldn’t wait until her taunts and teasing words turned to moans.

“Flint, she loves the way you play with her clit,” I suggested, letting the other alpha make his own decision about what to do next.

“Was he like this during the heat?” Freya asked. “Bossing you three around?”

“Worse,” Heath answered. “But only because he was worried about you.”

Flint fell to his knees between both Freya and Rowan’s thighs.

“Yes,” Rowan growled as Flint kissed his way up Freya’s thighs. “Lick her, Flint. And… I don’t care what happens.”

Flint grinned, a zing of arousal flashing through the bond, surprising me. Did Flint have a bisexual streak I was unaware of?

As Flint’s head began moving, Freya and Rowan both moaned… forcing me to wonder the same thing about Rowan.

Rowan’s hands slipped around to Freya’s breasts, teasing her nipples. Her eyes fell half-lidded as she met my gaze. This rankless wolf had always challenged me, yet it had never once infuriated my inner wolf. She refused to submit, but loved being forced to.

“My sexy mate,” I whispered, watching and enjoying every second.

I sensed Heath’s presence come up behind me, but the feeling of his hands sliding over my shoulders still surprised me.

“It’s time we gave Freya something to watch,” he said, his low words threatening something my mind interpreted as danger.

My body stiffened as Heath came around in front of me and began undressing me. Having his hands on me while Freya watched… It clouded my mind, mixing up my ideas about how this evening was meant to go.

My shirt went first, and then Heath whispered in my ear, “Freya doesn’t care that Flint’s tongue is on Rowan’s cock.”

“That’s because she’s riding his cock,” I countered.

To regain a sense of control, I stooped and took off my boots and my socks. When I straightened back up, Heath closed the distance again, and his hands went to my belt, throwing me into discomfort again.

As he slid my belt from my pants, the sensation along my hips made my breath catch. I glanced over to find Freya’s eyes bright with excitement.

I felt like I stood at the edge of a dangerous chasm as Heath’s fingers undid the button of my pants. Breathlessly waiting to see what would happen next, I feared falling to my demise. Completely still, I waited while Heath’s fingers teased along my waistband, and my dick strained against the fabric of my boxers.

“Do you want to see what your alpha is packing?” Heath asked, as though she hadn’t seen it before.

“Show it to me,” Freya moaned, still bouncing on Rowan’s cock.

How had this gotten so far outside my control? With Heath, I never knew what might happen next. And his next action proved it.

Instead of removing my last remaining scrap of clothing, Heath’s hand dropped, and his fingertips teased along the bulge in my boxers. Only the thinnest of fabric separated his fingers from my dick. Pre-cum leaked out, getting my boxers wet, and I shuddered at the warmth of Heath’s big hand when he cupped my balls through the fabric.

Freya moaned again, and I remembered she could feel my arousal through the bond. Guilt instantly filled me, and everything stilled. Flint’s head stopped moving. Freya and Rowan paused, and Heath took his hand away.

“It’s okay, Gage,” Freya said. “It’s hot.”

“You’re my mate,” I growled.

“Flint and Rowan are too, but they don’t have a problem touching each other. Flint and Heath had some fun together with me once, too. And you can’t tell me none of you touched at all during my heat.”

My mind stuttered over the part where she mentioned Flint and Heath having ‘some fun’ together with her. What did she mean?

And as for the heat… I remembered the way Heath’s hand had wrapped around my cock to hold it steady as I pulled Freya down onto my length. I remembered the way he’d helped me prep her so we could penetrate her together. I remembered the way he’d talked about variety, and how it had enraged me.

“Your queen wants this,” Heath’s whisper teased along my jawline, and that was the straw that broke my resolve.

I shoved at his shoulder, trying to push him away.

But Heath was as well-built as me, and he pushed back.

I was so mentally off-balance and his shove was so unexpected that I stumbled back. Heath followed, pushing me again until my back hit the wall. He loomed before me, chest heaving, but fully clothed, while I was trapped against the wall in my boxers. It made me feel vulnerable, and I hated it.

“Stop fighting this,” Heath growled. “We can all sense you want me as much as I want you.”

And that was the worst part. I couldn’t even deny it anymore, not when they could all feel every ounce of my attraction through the bond we now all shared.

We stared at each other in a standstill. As he licked his lips, I couldn’t keep my eyes from tracking the movement.

“Heath,” I tried to protest, but it came out breathier than I wanted.

That was when I should have kicked Heath’s ass for daring to push me around. I should have told him to fuck off. I should’ve taken back control.

Instead, I found my eyes on Heath’s lips. Just as I had in that closet, I longed to close the distance between us and taste my best friend’s mouth. The haze of lust made my world narrow, watching his pink tongue as he wet his lips.

And of course, Freya sensed my desires through the link.

“The tension is killing me,” Freya moaned. “Just kiss already.”

Her approval and acceptance rocked me through the bond — and even more, her love. It made little sense, and desire addled my brain to where I couldn’t puzzle it out. The only thing I understood was that my one excuse had just disappeared.

My wolf whimpered with need, and I couldn’t handle it anymore.

Before I could question any of it, I reached up, grabbed the back of Heath’s neck, and pulled him to me. Our lips crashed together, and we all moaned at once.

Freya’s desire ratcheted up as she watched, and our mate’s enjoyment bled over to the rest of us, making all of us enjoy the moment that much more.

Heath’s shock in the bond melted into pure lust, and he kissed me back. Our tongues clashed, each seeking dominance, and my hands desperately roamed, grabbing at his shirt, demanding he take it off and be as naked and vulnerable as I was.

“Yes,” Freya cried, getting closer.

Instead of taking off his shirt, Heath stepped deeper into the embrace, his hard body sandwiching me against the wall. He felt so different from Freya and yet just as right. And then… his hard cock ground against mine.

Freya’s climax rocked through the bond. My hips moved instinctively, as though trying to bring our mate to greater heights. She moaned right along with me and Heath as our cocks slid alongside one another.

Flint’s tongue drove her higher, and my hips kept grinding as my tongue lashed against Heath’s. I needed more. My dick ached down to the root, my balls pulsing with the desire to find release, tormented by Freya’s pleasure in the bond.

I wanted Heath so badly, but… I didn’t know what came next. That thought startled me so much that I raised both palms to his chest, ready to push him away again.

Instead, Heath pulled back and captured my hands with his own. His eyes were bright with joy even though he must have felt my panic.

“It’s okay, Gage. We’ll go as slow as you want. For now… let’s make our girl feel good.”

He gestured to the bed, and I panted, trying to catch my breath just as Freya did the same. With the way Heath had shoved me against the wall, I’d expected him to keep pushing, keep testing my boundaries. The way he’d pulled back left me feeling off-balance. Like he’d deprived me of the oxygen I needed to breathe.

“Do you want front or back?” Heath asked, and slowly the haze of lust softened.

My mouth fell open in confusion as his words sank in. Freya disengaged from Rowan and came over to us.

“That was hot,” she said. “It looked like you two were fighting to see who could shove their tongue down the other’s throat.”

Heath laughed, then grabbed her and tossed her up on the bed. He tore his clothes off faster than I could get my mind back in the game. My eyes devoured the sight of his cut abs, traced their way down to his perfect V, and then down to his hard, thick cock. It bounced once as though feeling the weight of my gaze, and I gasped, still so confused about what I wanted even as my mouth watered.

No way could I — did I really want to…?

Heath laughed and said, “Lay on the bed so Freya can mount you. We never got to finish her heat properly.”

His words brought me back to the edge of sanity, and I did as he said, gratefully grabbing Freya’s hips and lining her up with me. Rowan’s release made her slide easily onto me, and she soon seated herself fully down on me. I only got to enjoy her slick wet heat for a moment before Heath took up position behind her.

The sight of him over her shoulder made me panic again. The thought of having Heath above me… I couldn’t do it. Not until I had a chance to think, to process what I really wanted with him.

“Nope, wait,” I growled as I awkwardly scooted Freya to the side, still joined with me at the hips. “You lay down. I’ll be the one thrusting.”

Heath smirked, and I knew he knew exactly what my fears were through that damned mate bond. I wasn’t ready to face the thought that I might actually be interested in seeing where things went between me and Heath… and exploring… well, that .

I withdrew from Freya as Heath began to prep her. Soon enough, Heath was on his back. He notched himself at her back door and let Freya slowly slid down on him.

“Look at that greedy pussy, so hungry for me,” I growled, stroking myself as she leaned back against Heath’s chest.

I lined up with her again and slowly entered her as her legs spread wide to accommodate me. She already felt so full and tight, and we all moaned as I finally seated myself fully inside of her. Rowan and Flint came around to either side of the bed to play with Freya’s nipples.

But I could barely focus on anything else except the tight warmth of Freya’s channel… and Heath on the other side of that thin membrane. During her heat, it had been different — she hadn’t been aware. But now, she could feel everything through the bond, and as my eyes flicked from hers to his, I felt nothing but acceptance and love coming from… both of them.

“Yes,” she moaned. “Flint, I need you in my mouth.”

Flint positioned himself as Freya moved to the side of Heath’s powerful chest, bringing her mouth in reach. The Bonded link made Freya’s desires belong to all of us, and together, we all moaned as Flint slid between Freya’s lips and filled her up.

I set the pace, Heath canted his hips, and she moaned around Flint’s length. Rowan’s hand slid down her pale stomach, and I knew what he planned to do. I nodded at him, and a look of concentration swept over his expression as he began teasing Freya’s clit. His eyes watched her face, and before long, he was playing her like a pro. Her inner walls pulsed, and a moan escaped both me and Heath.

“That’s it, Rowan,” I growled. “That’s what she wants.”

“Moonbeam,” Flint moaned. “Can I come on you? I want to paint you with my scent.”

She moaned, and thanks to the bond, she didn’t even have to take her mouth off of him for us to all feel her agreement.

“Heath?” Flint asked.

“Don’t worry about it. If it happens, it happens.”

I wasn’t sure exactly what that meant, but I sensed Heath and Flint’s accord through the link. Flint pulled back, and Freya let out a sigh of contentment, leaning her head back against Heath. Her long, white hair fell to Rowan’s side as I continued driving into her.

“You’re so beautiful, Freya,” Flint whispered.

She smiled and reached toward him, grabbing his hip to pull him closer.

“Fuck, yes.” His cock began to spurt, and Freya opened her mouth to catch his release. It fell across her cheeks and lips, over her chin, and down to Heath’s chest.

My eyes darted up to check his reaction and found him gazing up at Flint, his hungry mouth open like he’d been waiting for Flint’s release, too. Seeing the needy look on his face made my balls tighten.

Freya licked Flint’s release from her lips, and that’s when I lost it. My dick pulsed hard, and I let out a roar while Rowan’s fingers danced on Freya’s clit. Heath pulsed on the other side of that thin membrane as his climax began. And then Freya’s walls clenched down hard, and my orgasm crested even higher. Heath, Freya, and I all came at once, becoming one moaning, crying, panting mass of bodies.

When Flint leaned over and began licking his own release off Freya’s face, I felt one last jet of my own fill her up. For a moment, we all just panted, catching our breath.

Rowan grinned down at Freya. “You look wanton and well-used, my love.”

As we all disengaged, Freya rose to answer him with a kiss. Rowan’s surprise hit me through the bond, and I realized he must have tasted Flint on her. But he devoured her anyway, deepening the kiss and plundering her mouth. When he let her pull back, they stared at each other for a moment, and their contentment hit me.

Rowan finally felt like he belonged with us. Freya had been the one to bring him fully into the fold. She gave him one last radiant smile before turning back to Heath, who remained on his back on the bed.

He grinned as she leaned over him. “Clean me up, baby.”

Watching her lick Flint’s release off of Heath’s chest did something strange to me. Lines had been crossed today, and I didn’t know how to feel about any of it. Was this bringing all of us closer? Or was this just a false high before the awkwardness hit?

“I’ll go get us some damp towels,” Flint said, pulling away from the bed.

“I’ll get some food started,” Rowan said, surprising me again.

He never cooked, but to keep our mate fed, he would do whatever it took.

That left Freya, me, and Heath alone in the bed together. I laid down on the far side from Heath, leaving space for Freya to lie between us. Instead, she sat between us, scooting up so she could run her hands over our chests and shoulders. The repetitive stroking of her small hands over my heated skin relaxed me.

She opened her mouth to speak, but I knew what she was going to say. I needed time to figure things out by myself. So, I spoke before she could, bringing up something else I hated to talk about, but we couldn’t put it off forever. With everything that had happened in Ironwood, we hadn’t returned to the topic yet.

“You’re sure you don’t remember dreaming of another man… your fifth mate?”

Her brow furrowed so cutely, I thought about sitting up so I could kiss between her eyebrows.

“Not during my heat, but I… I’ve been dreaming of someone lately. A man who seems familiar. The ansuz rune appears in the same spot on his face as yours do.”

“During the heat, you called out to someone named Zack,” Heath explained.

Hearing his name sparked some recognition in our mate. Freya’s eyes widened. She glanced from me to Heath and back again.

Her next words took me completely off guard.

“I think I know who he is.”