Chapter 25

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

" G et up, Princess. We have company coming."

The words and the gentle touch on my face shock me to full consciousness. The sweet actions don't fit the man.

"Who?" My voice is raspy.

"Don't know." Bo rolls from the bed, sprinting across the room and down the stairs.

"Who knew the laid-back asshole was so nimble?"

I giggle at Fell's gravelly voice.

They'd all crawled into the massive monstrosity I called a bed after leaving Calista's lair. Her words and my cleansing have us jumping at shadows and sleeping in the same bed. The boys have been taking shifts to make sure someone is always on alert.

"It's like you read my mind." Amused, I exit the bed on clumsy limbs and pull on my clothes I'm slipping on my sneakers when the door opens.

"Alpha's people are five minutes away." Bo's words blur together.

"Shit." I rush to the bathroom and emerge after freshening up and brushing my teeth. A few moments later, I emerge alert and presentable.

"Ready." I swallow. "The timing?—."

"Yeah. They didn't even let the spell grow cold."

"Are we taking it as an admission of guilt then?" I toy with the drawstring of my hood

Cadoc exhales deeply. "We have to consider it."

I nod. We can't leave the others down there alone. United, we're always stronger.

I toy with the ends of my ponytail. "Not how I wanted to start my day."

"Yeah." Fell runs a hand over his face. "Me either. Come on."

I follow him downstairs.

"We can't afford to be caught unaware, Brat." Cadoc's waits for us at the bottom.

"We need to be on our guard." Kirk paces.

Their clothing is deceptively casual allowing them to move freely. My clan is ready to battle.

"Relax, Brat. We're not alone out here. I'm sure they've smelled our men by now. They won't act impulsively."

"He won't make a move that can be easily traced back to him." Kirk sounds sure. The haunted look on his face freezes my blood.

"When he strikes, it'll be sneaky, underhanded, and unexpected. His hands can never be dirty."

There's an ocean of pain and secrets in his voice.

"Kirk?" Bo's angry voice bounces off the walls of the room. I stare at him, unsure what to say. This is more than possession, it's caring, and concern. An emotion I wasn't sure he was capable of until right now.

"I won't say more. It would only put us all in more danger." Kirk refuses to meet his stare. "Never underestimate what he's capable of, and always watch your back."

"What can we do to mitigate damage?" Cadoc asks.

"We play the long game. And stay a step ahead." Kirk's eyes narrow and his voice takes on a determined note.

"How?" Bo says.

"Find his weakness and exploit it. Survive until we can turn the tables and earn ourselves some immunity."

"That's a bleak plan. Sit around and wait for him to move?" Fell cracks his neck, agitated.

Cadoc holds up his hands. "It's a realistic strategy. No one said we'd sit here twiddling our thumbs. We'll be working on things on our end under the surface. Appearing benign to avoid suspicion is wise."

"I'm calling in favors. Someone has to know something. We're going to figure out his weaknesses." Bo's fingers fly over his cell.

"Who did he send?" Cadoc remains out of sight as Kirk peers out the window.

"Clive and Tad—And they're carrying a scroll."

"What the hell do they need a scroll for?" Cadoc mumbles.

Shots are being fired. Scrolls are only brought out for serious business.

"I used to believe dark deeds done in the name of a good cause balanced everything out. But over the years, I've seen too much to believe the black-and-white bullshit they force-feed the pack." The rage dripping from every word Fell says is disconcerting. The muscles in his neck strain.

Every truth they share warps my vision I had of them; chipping away at the wall I erected between us.

Heavy knocks echo. Cadoc holds up his hand. We obey his command to remain still. They repeat the knock, and he signals us toward the door.

I stand between Fell and Kirk. Bo and Cadoc opens the door.

"Have we forgotten how to politely announce our visits to wolves during mating?" Bo arches a brow and looks down at the two men.

"If it takes you this long. Maybe you should have someone show you how it's done." The tow-haired wolf with the thin lips leers at me with disdain.

Bo's lips twitch. "Is that a challenge? Cause, it's been too long since I handed a cocky wolf his ass in front of an audience."

Bo steps into the wolf's space.

"Quit posturing, Anrik." Alphonse elbows him. "We're here to deliver a formal invitation. Can we come in?"

"We mean you no harm," Alphonse says. It's strange that the Alpha's personal security is keeping tabs on us.

"We'll see, Alphonse. Enter at your own risk." Cadoc steps back and allows them to enter.

Alphonse hands over a scroll. The wax pack emblem cracks, sounding almost like a gunshot.

Cadoc reads it and his eyebrows raise. "The date on this is Friday."

I read over his shoulder. They expect us to begin an official mating ceremony in less than two days? It's a sweet sixteen and a wedding all in one. That's not nearly enough time to prepare.

"We had a month. Why did he move the date up?" Cadoc scowls.

"Alpha has seen to everything. You don't have to lift a finger," Alphonse assures us.

Anrik's stare makes me uncomfortable. "Tonight, the Alpha wishes to discuss the mating ceremony."

Alphonse rubs the back of his neck playing up the "good cop" role I don't buy. "People have become restless. They need to see action taking place."

"It's a lot of trouble to go to just for a dinner invite," Bo says.

"He wanted to make sure you understood attendance wasn't optional," Anrik's smile shows too many teeth.

Message received.

Cadoc dismisses him with a wave of his hand. "We'll be there."

"Pack for the weekend," Alphonse suggests.

The request is odd. "May I ask why?"

"You said it yourself; this isn't something that can be planned in one evening." Anrik shrugs.

It's a trap we have no choice but to walk straight into with our heads held high.

Kirk steps between Anrik and Cadoc when the vein in his forehead begins to pulse. "What time should we arrive?"

"Six o'clock will do," Anrik says. "Dress to impress." He winks at Bo, and the messengers depart.

"You don't think you're going to walk into that dinner unclaimed, do you?" Bo steps in front of me, Cadoc and Kirk walk away.

"I am claimed."

"Not properly. Do you think I'd let anyone else take my place?"

I lick my lips. My heart races. "You think I'm so easily swayed?"

"We both know with enough force the choice can be taken out of your hands. I won't risk that."

"I'm not ready." My voice wavers.

"We're past that, Princess."

Dry mouthed, stare at him. "You can't just take whatever you want."

"No. but I can claim what's mine." Bo caresses the side of my neck with his thumb. "Sweet little Princess trapped by the Big Bad Wolf."

I inhale sharply as his thick scent permeates the air. Slick flows from my pussy, soaking my underwear. Bo's nostrils flare.

"You want this as badly as I do, don't you, Princess?"

"No."

"Pretty little liar. I can smell you." He presses his broad hand against my bare belly and his warmth sinks into my skin. I fight the urge to lean into his touch. My muscles flex.

"There's no need to be ashamed. I've wanted you for a long time, even when I shouldn't. You, a paint splattered outcast with her head constantly in a book had me hard as steel."

His admission is the last thing I expected. "I wanted to feel that fire you directed my way at every turn. You never cared about my money or my looks. Nothing I did swayed you."

"So, you made my life hell?" My tone is caustic enough to melt through metal.

"I kept those judgy eyes fixed on me by any means necessary." Leaning down, he nips at my lower lip. "And now that I've ensnared you in my web, escape isn't an option."

"Whether I want it or not?"

He chuckles and the walls of my pussy flutter in response.

"Still want to play games?" He yanks me to him.

His nail sharpens into a claw and he slices through the cotton material. My nipples pucker in the cool air. Circling my stiff peaks, the sensation of the touch he skates the edge of pain. I suck in a breath.

"Careful, Princess. I don't want you to get hurt." The hunger in his gaze, says the exact opposite.

Leaning in, he traces my lips with the tip of his tongue.

"Unless you want that?" I catch hints of whiskey as he speaks. He pinches a taut bud and I gasp.

"Don't move."

He slices through my clothing and the blood rushes in my ears. His voice is midnight velvet, wrapping around me.

"I think she likes the thrill," Bo steps behind me, pulling off the remains of my outerwear and throwing them to the floor.

Cupping my breasts in his warm hands, flicking my nipples. I stand before him on display. His smoldering gaze makes my heart flutter. Bo teases the pulse point in my neck with his thumb.

"Hear how excited she is?" Bo turns me to face Fell. "She wants everything we plan to do to her."

Unbinding my hair, he fluffs my curls.

Fell licks his lips, watching me like a man starved.

"This is how I dreamed about you. Untamed." He winds his fingers in my hair and pulls. I arch my back.

"An unbroken wild thing only I can control."

"You don't."

"Hmm?" Bo kicks my feet apart. "We'll see which gives first. Your pride or the demands of your needy little pussy." He releases my hair and rakes his claws down my inner thigh. I tilt my head back, moaning.

"Yl." Fell's voice cracks.

"On your knees. You deserve to beg her after you abandoned her."

Fell looks between Bo and myself. Tonight is about completing the bond between the three of us.

"Tell him, Princess. Tonight, you're going to be worshipped."

I remain silent, refusing to yield to Bo's demands.

Bo parts my lower lips, gathering my slick with his thumb without touching me where I need him most.

"Tell him you want him to apologize properly." Bo presses his thumb into my clit. I shiver.

"Tell him, or I'll stop." He removes his thumb, and I protest.

"I want it."

"Good girl." Bo kisses my temple. "We're going to lance this wound." Pushing my panties to the side, he circles my entrance and penetrates me with the tip of his thumb. I contract around him, and he chuckles.

"Not yet. Show her how sorry you are," Bo barks. I cream at his tone.

Fell sinks to his knees before me. Bo removes his hand. Fell darts forward, latching onto my swollen clit and I moan.

Pinching and tugging my nipples between his fingers, Bo and Fell bombard my senses. Fell thrusts his tongue inside me and I rock against his face.

"That's it. Use him for your pleasure." Bo's husky directions push me over the edge and I shatter like glass on a tile floor, scattering to all corners of a room. Fell slurps my release, and thrusts two fingers inside, curving them to rub against the front of my walls. Despite my explosion, he's already winding me back up. Moaning, I lean against Bo.

"I like you like this, rising high on pleasure and so very obedient." He tilts my neck and bends to capture my lips. I suck his tongue and roll my hips, rubbing against the thick length pressed against my ass and back into Fell's mouth.

Pulling back, I cry out. A second orgasm hits. Fell sinks his teeth into my inner thigh. The sharp pain yields to intense pleasure. I grip his hair tight, riding out the waves of bliss. He licks at the wound, sealing it closed.

He's marked me as his own. The bond snaps into place and the severe animosity I once held with Fell fades. A new understanding flows between us. The soul-deep sorrow that leaving me caused isn't cured by a long shot, but it is lessened.

A wall remains firmly in place around the secret he can't share. Distracted by the block, I frown.

"Ah ah ah, none of that." Bo taps my temples. "Turn your brain off. We're not done with you yet."

"Go sit on the couch, Fell."

Bo nips my lips.

"I'm going to let him warm you up because I won't be gentle." He slaps my ass, nudging me forward.

I stalk to Fell. Stripped down, he's stroking his thick length and watching me with a heated gaze that makes me feel like a queen.

"Come here," he growls.

Reaching him, I climb onto the couch, straddling his lap. I sink onto him in a reverse cowgirl. His fat cock splits me in two. Digging my nails into his thighs, I lean back against him. I rise, crying out as he slams home.

He presses me over the arm of the couch. Bo approaches, stroking his hard-on. I admire his thick girth and the veins running down it. He offers me the tip.

I gather the droplets with my tongue. Bo drives into my mouth and I cry out, choking. Tears leak. Opening my throat, I ride the wave and they find a rhythm.

Filled to the brim, my walls flutter. Bo grips my hair tight. I clamp around Fell, choking around Bo. He fills my mouth and I swallow him down as Fell slams home one last time flooding me with his spray.

Stepping away, Bo bends down and sinks his teeth into my neck. The claim completes a circuit. Mating bond in place, my body convulses as I wail.

I struggle to catch my breath. Our wolves greet one another and the bond settles. Bo licks the tears from my face.

"You're mine now, Princess."

Fell kisses my cheek. "Ours."

"Ours," Bo amends his statement.

"That's the first time I've ever seen you agree on anything." Laughter bubbles free. They join in, and we steal a moment of joy before we have to enter a new battlefront.