Chapter 11

Valor

Brielle's sweet pine and wild berry scent mingled with the soothing aroma of home as I opened the front door. At once, the place was familiar and new.

My wolf basked in the combined essence as if it were sunlight. He wanted to take her to our bed and soothe and lick every inch of her until the flares of her heat subsided into intoxicating bliss.

I mentally rolled my eyes at him.

Romantic bastard, I teased.

He did not dignify me with a response and instead focused on the vision in front of us.

I felt the pangs of her repressed heat through the bond and knew Korren could only keep it at bay for so long.

Korren smiled when we walked into the living room. Brielle froze as if readjusting to our presence before dipping her chin in our direction.

"That was quick," Korren commented as he placed a bowl of dip on the coffee table. "We thought we would have everything ready before you got home."

"We got lucky and didn't have to do a full report," Ezra said. He walked into the kitchen, drawn to the smell of sizzling beef, garlic, peppers, onion, and cilantro.

My stomach shamelessly announced its hunger.

Brielle gave me a hesitant tilt of her lips. "You won't have to wait too long to eat. Korren has been a tornado in the kitchen."

"I had to show you my best attributes while I had the chance," Korren said with a wink as he put cups on the snack-filled coffee table.

Brielle's smile became softer in response.

"You need anything?" Ezra asked from behind Brielle.

She jumped, a hand floating to her chest as she turned to face him. "Goddess, when the hell did you get there? Weren't you just in the kitchen?"

I chuckled. Ezra moved as silently as a cat. She wasn't the first to be disturbed by one of his sudden appearances, and she wouldn't be the last. He still gave Korren a start at least twice a week. It was almost a challenge for him.

"I was. Now I'm here." Ezra's dark eyes lit with humor. He directed his attention toward Korren and asked, "Seven-layered dip, what's the occasion?"

Korren gave his arm a chastising slap and waved at the display of snacks. "We're obviously having a movie night."

"Sounds good to me," I said to Korren. I nudged Brielle with my elbow.

"Now that Ezra knows he can startle you, you're going to have a menace on your hands."

Korren darted into the kitchen.

"Don't worry. Now that I know about his hobby, I'll be on guard," Brielle said as she sat on the couch.

Ezra's voice was pleased as he asked, "Is that a challenge?"

"You shouldn't have done that," I teased, taking the spot next to Brielle on the couch.

Brielle lifted her chin. "What if it is?"

Korren groaned as he walked back into the living room. "Don't tell me we've got two of them."

I didn't miss the warmth in his words.

"Looks like we do." I ran a hand through my hair in mock exasperation. "The Goddess must be punishing us for something."

Brielle snorted, turning to me with bright eyes. "I think you mean she's blessing you for some reason."

She hadn't realized it, but Ezra was pulling her out of her shell. He was using her defiance to combat her hesitancy, and by wrapping it in such a playful exchange, he was willing her to show more of herself.

Her shoulders had relaxed, and her eyes sparkled. She was having fun despite herself.

I draped a casual arm around her and took a moment to enjoy the feeling of her body against mine. Faint simmers of her heat dusted my senses, and my cock thickened. I ignored it.

"What kind of movies do you like, Brielle?" I picked up the remote, turned on the TV, and idly flipped through the genres.

She scrunched her nose. "Is it cliché to say horror?"

Korren handed out drinks. "No, as long as you're not one of those females who claims to like horror and then gets scared to go the bathroom alone."

"It's better than romance—or its evil twin, romantic comedy," Ezra said.

She met his eyes, something unreadable passing between them. "Couldn't agree more."

Choosing the film was surprisingly easy. We typically spent hours debating the pros and cons, but tonight, we silently agreed to let Brielle take the lead. When the movie started and we all settled in, I took a chance and slipped my fingers between hers, bringing our joined hands to my thigh. I felt her surprise and delight through the bond.

My wolf purred at being able to provide his mate support.

Brielle gave my hand a timid squeeze.

She enjoyed the contact as much as I did, and I traced small circles with my thumb, letting the pad of my calloused digit rub against her soft skin.

The smell of her heat stroked my senses, and her breaths shortened.

It was enough to wake my instincts. I was suddenly aware of her flushed cheeks and the sheen of sweat on her brow, shining in the low light.

Korren's hand settled on Brielle's leg. He stroked slender fingers along her inner thigh, moving higher and higher with every caress. Brielle's head tipped back, and her knees parted.

Goddess.

The smell of her arousal was a revelation, the final source of enlightenment to my being.

A low guttural growl drew my attention, and my eyes clashed with Ezra's. He loved to watch—craved it almost as much as the sheath between her legs.

Movie forgotten, I trained my sights on Korren as his fingers hovered over the edge of her shorts. She opened further, biting down on her plush lip.

Her heat perfumed the air, expanding and consuming everything around it.

It clotted in my throat, seeped into my skin, and eroded my control.

Korren's seductive whisper broke through the haze. "May I, love?"

Brielle's response was a plea. "Yes."

Korren delved into her burning center, and she rubbed against his hand with a hiss. I brought her hand to my mouth and kissed her fingertips, her knuckles, her palm, and her wrist—licking and teasing the thin skin above her veins.

Her body reached a boiling point, and my cock pressed painfully against my pants, begging to be released.

"You're so wet, so fucking perfect," Korren rasped. "Will you let me show them? Can they watch how messy this pussy gets when I play with it?"

"Mmm." Her face was a mosaic of reds, peaches, and pinks, and her eyes drifted shut.

"Focus, little fighter," Ezra commanded, his voice husky. "If we don't get an answer, Korren will take his hand away."

Her eyes widened at the threat, and a needy growl slipped from her lips.

I nipped at her wrist, and she moaned as her pheromones spiked to a suffocating degree.

"Yes. Yes," she panted. "Show them."