Chapter 19

CHAPTER NINETEEN

" D on't leave me." I clutch at Kirk's t-shirt.

"Yl."

"You take such good care of me, mate, please." I feel closest to the healer.

"Always making it so hard to say no." Kirk rubs his thumb across my cheek. I nuzzle into his warm palm.

"I'm right, here. You don't have to beg me for a damn thing." He presses a kiss to my feverish forehead and I tug his shirt over his head. I bring it to my nose and find just the right place on the bed for it.

I'm nesting. The actions mean I'm in true heat. I've never felt that desire before as a beta wolf, but I've never mated either.

"We're going to get through this together. I'm going to take good care of you." The scent of cinnamon, cloves, and bitter orange heightens.

"Yes." I nod happily. My wolf settles.

Doc knows what's best for us.

"Let's get you cooled down, little one. Arms up."

Kirk tears the nightgown off me.

He tosses the cloth to the side and cups my breasts, caressing my stiff nipples. I squirm.

"The bed's not right yet."

The door opens and others walk in, quickly shedding their clothing. They hand me their shirts and I quickly make a circle with pillows and their scent-marked pieces.

Cadoc slips into the bed behind me and nibbles his way down my neck. I arch my back toward

Him, and Kirk rolls my peaks between his fingers.

"We have to make sure you're ready to take your first knot tonight." Fell kisses my knee, and spreads my legs wide.

I tremble with anticipation and fear at the thought of the knot on the base of wolf shifter's cocks. Inflating, it'll lock us together until he's spent himself inside me.

Meant to encourage fertility, the process is added by the moisture my body is producing in copious amounts to ease the pathway of the large knob. Thicker and more viscous than arousal, the liquid is turning my panties into a slip-and-slide. A bolt of excitement races through my body as my stomach cramps.

Fell trails his other hand up my slit and gathers the wetness. His thumb swipes my clit. I jerk, gushing a fresh wave of slick as my pulse gallops like a horse.

Undulating my hips. I'm desperate to relieve the steady aching in my core. My nerves constantly fire, turning me into an overly sensitive bundle of need.

"You smell like sea salt caramel ice cream, and I want to devour you," Cadoc growls.

His teeth scrape against my skin. Kirk pulls away to shed his clothing and Bo nips my leg. his large hand clamps down on my thigh and presses down.

"Open wide, Princess."

Fell dips two fingers into me and swirls his fingers inside me. He pulls out, offering his glistening fingers to Cad, who inhales the scent.

Fell brings his digits back to his mouth and I groan. The bliss on their faces makes my walls contract on nothing.

Opposite Bo, Fell suckles my breast and I open my mouth in a silent scream.

"Look how wet you are for us," Kirk parts my labia. "You need to be filled, don't you?"

"Please, Kirk."

Kneeling on the bed, he strokes his nine-inch cock between my lips. Curved to the right, his mushroom-shaped tip weeps. The ache in my core increases.

"I need you, Kirk."

"I'll always give you what you need." Guiding the tip in, he pushes forward, aided by my slick.

I whimper as he pushes deep, filling the emptiness, and stretching me.

"More?" Kirk pulls out and slams forward, hitting the heated spot where I need him most.

"Yes. Right there." I don't recognize the animalistic voice that escapes my mouth.

I wrap my arms around him, digging my nails into his back.

"Feels so good." The words rumble in Kirk's chest. Cadoc sinks his teeth into my shoulder and I fall apart. Shaking, I clamp down on Kirk. He thrusts once more and stills, coating me with a warmth that cools the fire coming from within.

Pressing his knot into my entrance, he pushes further, stretching me to my limits. Locking in place, he explodes. My orgasm is so strong my vision whites over as my body shakes.

"You okay?" Kirk brushes my hair away from my face.

Finally able to think clearly, I blink and smile.

"More than."

"You took it so well, Brat." Cadoc kisses my forehead.

For the first time, we feel like a five-part harmony. Our connection hums.

"I got you water." Fell kisses my thigh and holds a water bottle to my lips.

I drink, and Bo caresses my cheek. My lids grow heavy. Sniffing, I chase his hand, seeking his scent, until he moves his wrist back to me. I nuzzle the gland in his wrist, feeling drunk off him.

"Rest, Beautiful. You're going to need it," Kirk whispers. Nestled among my mates, I slip under a blanket of sleep.

Throbbing, and needy, I wake up in a pool of desire, rubbing my thighs together.

"It hurts."

"I know, Brat. I've got you." Cadoc parts my legs with his powerful hands and wedges himself between my legs. He drives all nine inches of his cock to the hilt and I buck off the bed.

"Harder," I plead. He slips out and I scream.

"Quiet, Brat." He flips me over and slaps my ass. I scramble onto all fours, presenting myself.

I peer over my shoulder, and meet his glowing yellow eyes.

He drives home, digging his fingers into my hips as he forces my face onto the destroyed nest on top of my bed. Fisting the sheets, I rock back and forth, matching his frenzied pace. My belly tightens.

"That's it. Take it like a good girl." Our bodies slap together, and the bed rocks. I turn and find Bo watching me. He licks his lips and, captures my mouth hungrily.

Head spinning, I suckle his tongue, crying into his mouth as Cad drives into me. The sounds of us coming together are lewd and sloppy. He hits a spot that makes me see stars. I pull away from Bo to scream.

"Get ready for my knot, Brat."

I bite the sheet as the intense pressure hits and my body yields.

He locks into place and lights dance behind my eyelids as he floods me. He sinks his teeth deep into my neck.

Spent, my limbs turn to noodles. I rest my head on the pillow.

"Sit up, Princess. You need to eat." Pulled from sleep, I stare at Bo. My eyes wide when I find Bo beside the bed with a plate full of cheese, fruit, and crackers.

"Too tired."

"You need to keep up your strength," Kirk insists.

Groaning, I let Kirk help me sit up. Heat can last up to a week. That's a long time to go even with fuel.

"Have some water first." Fell offers me a cup with a straw.

I accept the cool water. It soothes my parched mouth and throat.

Bo feeds me slices of strawberries. Humming, I enjoy the adoration shining in his brown eyes as my energy returns.

"You're so good, eating what your mates provide for you," Bo croons.

I moan. Mates Good. Mates take care of me.

"I'm all done." I push the plate away.

"Time to clean you off, Princess." Bo lifts me and carries me into the bathroom.

The candlelight bouncing off the walls of the creating a peaceful environment. I snuggle against him, cozy, and content. Fluffy suds fill the tub Cadoc is waiting in.

Cadoc gives a roguish grin. "Join me."

"You didn't have to do this." I hold on to Bo's neck.

"Only the best for our mate," Cadoc voice is full of pride.

"In you go. I'm not sure how long this reprieve will last," Kirk reminds us.

Bo lowers me into the tub. The warm water eases my stiffness, and I sigh. I won't expect this

to be my future, but I'll count it as a perk of mating. Two down and two more to go.

"How is she?" Cadoc's lower rumble pulls me from the darkness.

"Better. The fever broke."

"I know you're awake, Brat. Why don't you come on over and join us?"

I toss the comforter away and leave the bed, wearing nothing but Kirk's shirt.

Sultry with hints of citrus and herbs, our mating scent fills the room. I like the way we blend. I inhale it, calming as the hungry need inside of me remains dormant.

Appeased, for now, the she-wolf is silent. The shirt slips over my shoulder, baring my skin to Cadoc's hungry gaze.

"Happy to see you on your feet."

"I'm glad to be coherent again." I attempt to smooth down the hair on my head that sticks out at all angles. He laughs. "How long was I out of it?"

"Three days."

I gape. "Thor's hammer." How had I lost so much time. Memories of tangled limbs, heated kisses, and bodies moving together is a blur in my mind.

"Yeah." Cadoc's smile fades. "We had a lot of time to talk."

"That doesn't sound ominous." I lick my dry lips.

Cadoc runs his knuckles down the side of my face. "It looks like you've been kept isolated on purpose,"

I stare at him, unsure how he came to this conclusion. "How did you come to that conclusion?"

"My bid to keep you being ignored, Fell being forced away, and the way the town was stirred to see you as an outsider adds up."

The town turned its back on me the minute the rest of my family with the properly working genes died. "I'm not sure I'm following you."

Kirk clears his throat. "Plenty of people wanted to step in over the years, Yl. We weren't allowed to."

My heart squeezes. I blink, processing the reveal. All this time, I felt forgotten. "Are you sure?"

"We were always told to let the kids work it out amongst themselves." Cadoc glances away. "Even when it was adults who were misbehaving."

"Why?" I struggle to keep my voice steady as a sinking suspicion grows.

Cadoc scratches his temple. "That's what we're trying to figure out. Someone out there knows more than they're letting on."

"Alpha?" The man's steeped in darkness. I'm not sure what he's capable of anymore.

Cadoc frowns in displeasure. "I think he would've done everything in his power to ingratiate himself to you if he'd known who you were going to be."

"He wouldn't have sent you away. He likes to keep his investments nearby." Kirk scowls.

"Doc?" I twine our fingers and Kirk squeezes my hand.

"Alpha has a dark side."

"Are we in danger?" Cadoc asks.

"Yeah." Kirk nods. "I think we are."

I gulp. "How dark are we talking?"

Kirk shrugs. "I was ousted before I could dig too deep into things, but his wife's death broke something in him. He's been different ever since. Maybe he was always walking the narrow gray between light and dark and this tipped him over."

"You sound scared."

Kirk pauses, and takes a deep breath. "Because I am."

"If he turns the pack on us, things will get ugly fast," Cadoc adds.

"How do we avoid that?" My heart races. I've seen what happens when wolves turn on someone.

"I don't know that we can. Delaying it might have to be enough," Cadoc admits.

"We're too useful now to get rid of." Kirk tugs me closer.

I read between the lines. "And when we aren't?"

"We'll be ready to defend ourselves," Cadoc solemn vow is meant to comfort.

Kirk kisses my cheek. "I need to arrange a meeting with my contact. We need to see what's being said in the Alpha's Circle."

"Do it today," Cadoc points at Kirk.

"Alright, I'll make a call."

"Get dressed, Brat. We're going to show our faces around town." Cadoc runs his thumb over the mark on my throat. "And put those pretty new bites on display."

I pick up what he's not saying. We're making a show of a united front, and leaning into Alpha's demands. Survival depends on how well we play the game.

I whimper at the burst of pleasure his touch causes. He chuckles.

"You look good like this, branded as ours. I can't wait to add my own," Fell growls.

"Go, before you get us both in trouble." I press my thighs together. My core wakes, pulsing as my body tingles.

Cadoc stands and walks to the door. "When you're dressed to impress, join us downstairs."

"I'll make it fast."

He leaves and I take off for the shower. Stripping down, I climb under the warm spray, mourning the loss of Kirk's smell.

Exfoliating until my skin shines, I wash my hair and deep condition it to tame any frizz. Stepping out, I towel off, comb through my hair, a warrior preparing for battle. The name of the game is aloofness. We need to present a strong, united, front.

Remaining unbothered while the world burns around you and pack members try to stab you in the back is a power move.

I want to stand out, not blend in today. I go to the section of the closet that houses Bo's picks. I'm not too stubborn to admit the bastard knows how to play politic chess.

I slip on the deep green velvet dress with a belted wrap top with a deep V-neck.

I step into black boots, and pull my hair up into a knot, pinning it with my hair stick. I take care with my makeup, playing up my eyes and glossing my lips.

Quiet wealth is the statement. I travel down the stairs with a new grace. I can feel the changes from our mating and my new role taking shape.

My sight and hearing are improving rapidly, and something undefinable is growing inside my body.

"Don't you look stunning wearing the pretty dress I bought you, Princess." Bo's arrogant tone reveals pride. Our relationship is shifting, into what I'm not sure.

I'm not sure if I'm flattered by his response, or irked. I swear the man could ruin a wet dream. I study him casually draped over a chair. He winks.

"Are you showing everyone how good I take care of you?" Crossing a leg over his thigh, he flips his hair out of his face. He's edible, and he knows it.

"You look beautiful, Brat," Cadoc adds.

His sincere tone makes me smile. He looks every inch the enforcer in his black cashmere sweater and black slacks that show off powerful thighs. I want to ride to completion.

"You've all cleaned up nicely." I admire Kirk in gray slacks and a white button down that brings out his beautiful brown skin tone. He looks every inch the Doc I've labeled him.

Fell is devastating in a white sweater and designer jeans. I want to cup the full ass highlighted by the denim. Clearing my throat, I step off the final step.

"Where are we headed?"

"Out to eat at Regal Roast, and for a walk to see the window displays." Cadoc offers his arm.

"Where we'll treat our darling Princess to whatever she wants," Bo adds.

"Providing she behaves." The growl in Cadoc's voice makes my belly flip like a pancake.

"I'll be good."

"I'm not sure you know how," Cadoc counters.

Kirk snickers. "I need to meet up with my contact at two, we should get going."

We walk to a new black SUV with darkened windows.

I wave at the vehicle. "What's this monstrosity?"

"A new safety measure," Cadoc's clipped voice warns me not to protest.

"It looks nice."

"Drives better, and has reinforced windows," Bo opens the door and Kirk climbs up turning to offer me his hand. I feel safer with extra protection after the with the wolves who tried to claim me.

"I think I'll start touching base with my set too." Bo starts making calls. Cadoc gets behind the wheel.

I zone in and out of the multiple conversations going on around me on the way into town.

Each man has their speculation on how things will progress. I know better than to try to predict the future. Most of life is reacting to the things that are thrown our way.

We pull into the parking lot of the fine dining restaurant and Cadoc cuts the engine. Exiting we walk into the mountainside spot with a stunning view.

Small white lights and fresh pine garlands wind around the rafters and columns with big red bows. I find myself wishing this was a real date as we round the tables covered with white linens.

Tables with white linen, fine China plates, and delicate wine glasses are arranged in the main area around the fireplace.

"Bo, it's good to see you and your new clan out." The older woman in a crisp white shirt and black skirt has nothing but smiles for us. But I remember the way she sneered at me in public over the years. Amazing how receptive people are to you once your status changes.

"Thank you, Antoinette. We have a reservation."

"Yes, the private room in the back has been prepared for you. I can take you back if you're ready?"

"We are." Bo wraps his large hand around my side guiding me to our table.

The room is sleek with its wooden walls, large antique gold mirrors hung to make the space feel bigger. A spectacular view shows snowy peaks and color-changing forests.

Bo pulls out my chair at the end of the table. "Sit."

I sink into the chair and place my hands in my lap, unwilling to give Antoinette gossip. I bite my tongue.

He pushes me in and the others seat themselves. A perky strawberry blonde waitress with brown eyes sashays in and bats her lashes at Bo.

"It's good to see you again, Bo."

He peers down his nose and sneers. "Is that right?"

She nods her head like an eager puppy. "I'll be taking care of you tonight."

Something tells me she's already done that. I look away to hide the strange possessive feelings bubbling up inside me.

Her scent is wrong, hidden beneath her core apricot scent. She's fought with the sickness and run. I almost feel sad for her. There will be no future wolves for her.

I can't forget this is an arrangement. What we have is transactional, not emotional. Fisting my dress, I ignore her flirting while she tells us about the soups of the day and wines.

"What do you think, Princess?"

"Hmmm?" I turn.

"About our wine for the evening," Fell fills in the blanks, saving me.

"I'm partial to Rosé' myself."

"Those are lower caliber vintages." She sniffs, tilting her head in a condescending manner.

"They're what my mate wants," Bo snaps. "Are you trying to tell her what she can and can't have Alessa?"

"I. N-no." She shakes her head, sending her light red hair flying around her slender oval-shaped face.

Bo frowns. "Good, because I'd hate to request a new server."

Her jaw drops. Fell squeezes my hand. "Order the Rosé"

I hide my smirk behind the rim of my glass. Five minutes of uncomfortable order-taking later, we're alone in the room again.

Bo leans into Kirk, "Kirk. When the appetizers come, slip out the side door."

Is that why he booked this room ?"

"It's nice to be out and about again, isn't it? I'm not used to living so far away from town." Bo covers our tracks for those who are listening flawlessly.

Cadoc chuckles. "It came in handy this week, though, didn't it?"

His words are for the pack listening in, but it still irritates me. The pack's value system is old and outdated. Women are so much more than cattle to be bred. Childbearing and supporting alphas is the one thing the Alpha pushes as some sort of sacred duty.

They've forgotten that women were a vital part of our ancestor's society. We worked beside the men and fought for our people and our land when needed.

The seafood tower is brought in along with fresh bread, and stuffed mushrooms. I gawk at the king crab legs that are as long as my forearm and my mouth waters at the scent of melted butter.

"I'm going to use the washroom." Kirk rises and slips out of the side door while we dish out food.

I embrace the silence as we sate our hunger.

The conversation is tedious when the entire place is straining to hear a juicy tidbit to take back to the masses. I put it out of my mind and focus on the food in front of me, still slightly peckish from the three-day-long bedroom romp.

Heat spikes in my belly. I take a long draw from my glass of rose to cool the small fire before it can crackle to life. Bo inhales and I look everywhere, but at him.

"Don't worry, we'll feed all your hungers, Princess."

I press my lips together and ignore him. Bullies usually back off when you don't give them a response.

It hasn't worked for Bo thus far, but in public my hands are tied, and he knows it. I want to slap the smug expression off.

Just like the old Greek gods, he's cruel and crass. Our plates are taken and replaced with the main course. The succulent medium-cooked filet mignon melts in my mouth. Spices dance on my taste buds.

A nice cut of protein always hits the spot. Chewing slowly, I savor the tender meat.

Thwack . The window beside my head cracks and pops.

Time slows as my mates leap from their chairs.