Last Chance Diner

by Rowan Thalia

  "I smell your blood, Faith! What happened?" Ty whines.

  "I'm okay, really," I croak, pushing them back. "Ranger, I think you need to go and talk to Millie in private. She deserves to know what happened between you two."

  "But ..." he looks from her to me, and I harden my eyes. Millie's eyes are cast to the floor, and her body trembles.

  'You hurt her badly,' I admonish. 'Apologize and make it right.'

  Ranger has the sense to look cowed. He nods and shuffles over to her, offering his hand. She looks at me with a weak smile before taking it. With a blink, they disappear. I find myself holding my breath as I pull my other wolves close. I hope he does the right thing.

  After Millie and Ranger vanish, I look around the cave. The black rock seems more foreboding now than it did when I was being kidnapped. A shudder works its way over my shoulders, and my teeth chatter.

  "We should go home and wait for Ranger. There's no telling how long they'll be gone," Lewis states evenly as he pulls me into an embrace.

  "I won't argue with you there. I don't want to stay here another minute," I nuzzle Lewis's neck.

  "Then let's go, he can contact us through mind link if he needs to, especially Faith," he takes my hand and starts leading me down the tunnel.

  I wrap my free hand around Ty's and follow. The fresh pine in the air blowing toward us tickles my nose and I sneeze. The guys laugh as we make our way topside where I stop dead in my tracks. Dawn has stretched over the forest, and I'm floored by how long I was in that cave. It didn't seem like it was all night, but I guess it was. No wonder I'm so exhausted.

  "This way," Ty urges. "It will be faster and warmer if we all turn," he drops to all fours. I giggle when I realize they are all naked. Before the other two change, I take a quick peek down at their cash-n-prizes, hoping they don't notice. Embarrassingly, I get caught red-handed by Lewis, who winks before going wolf. My face flushes, but I don't regret staring at that dick again, that's for sure. I shouldn't be ashamed anyway, technically they're all my men now.

  Shrugging, I pull off the clothing I'm wearing and join the guys in fur. There's a moment of pause before I step into the lead as Alpha. With my nose to the ground, I follow the guy's trail back. My heart thunders and happiness washes over me when my guys follow me with no hesitation. Having them behind me as I run is as natural as breathing. Sure, I've been an alpha all my life, but never to my own pack.

  'Ours,' my bitch perks.

  'And we're keeping them all,' I smile inwardly.

  The smell of the redwood forest is so distinct, pine mixed with a faint bark undertone. It's hard to describe. My senses flare as we run, and I take it all in. I hope Ranger irons out his thing with Millie so that we can come back here often. There's something otherworldly about being surrounded by trees so large they make even our huge wolves seem like ants scrambling on the ground.

  We make it back to the truck a lot sooner than I thought we would. It feels like we ran a lot farther, but I guess Millie's little stunt made the trip fuzzy in my mind. My fur ripples over my skin and I raise my head in concern, scanning the area. I chuff a command and the guys split up when we reach the clearing. 'Check our surroundings before we turn. Something still feels off, and I don't want to make any more mistakes.'

  "It's just me," Ranger steps out of the cabin.

  Sitting slowly on my rump and tilting my head to the side, I scan him carefully. Maybe it's Millie's magic still fucking with my brain, but I can't get my wolf to settle. To make things weirder, a thick fog has settled over the area, which clouds his features enough to make me wary. I study the one brown eye that peeks out from the swoop of his black hair. The color flickers yellow with his wolf, and the familiar pull I feel around him comes rushing back. A whine comes out of my mouth before I realize, and I trot closer to my Alpha hesitantly.

  "It's the magic fucking with you, Petite. I swear it's me. Come here and let me hold you," he squats and holds open his arms.

  'He's right. You get used to Millie's aftertaste eventually,' Lewis adds as he nudges me with his snout.

  I was so focused on Ranger; I didn't realize the other three had gotten so close. Their bodies press against my haunches, urging me forward. Their support is all I need to shake off the effects of the evening and press into Ranger's hold. His fingers slide through my fur, creating an electric tingle that runs down my spine.

  'Did you work it out?'

  'Yes, I believe so. Thanks to you. Millie says she'll call soon. She really likes you, Faith. You're amazing.'

  The wood porch creaks. Ranger hugs me to his body, and I relax under his touch. I can feel a low panic creeping through my system, shock from the events that transpired. I refuse to give in to hysteria. Steeling my spine, I wiggle out of his hold and find my pile of clothing. I want to get dressed and go home, shifting hurt. It feels like all my bones have cracked. On wobbly legs, I grumble, and I grab my panties. Today can fuck right off, everything on my body hurts, even my hair.

  "Ready?" I look around after pulling on my shirt.

  "Yep, let's go," Ranger grabs my hand and gives it a squeeze.

  Trying not to be salty, I squeeze back and follow. Maybe one of these days, my feelings toward Ranger will level out, and I will feel the True-mate 'bliss' I've always heard about, but today is not that day. I shouldn't be mad. After all, is said and done, I feel good about connecting with Millie, I just wish it hadn't been so damned painful. I'm pretty sure she and I will make good friends after this. Shaking off the grumpiness, I grab Brandon and drag him into the back with me. I haven't had any close time with him and now seems as good as any.

  "Guess you're driving," Brandon laughs and tosses the keys to Ranger.

  Lewis and Ty play rock paper scissors over shotgun. Ty wins, which puts Lewis in the middle. The doors slam shut, and I sink into the seat next to Brandon. He wraps an arm around my shoulder and leans his head against the window. The day took a toll on all of us. No one is speaking or doing more than slumping in their seats as we ride back to the cabin.

  "This is nice," Brandon whispers in my ear. "I feel like I've waited forever to have you in my arms."

  "And?"

  "It's everything I thought it would be," he closes the distance and presses his lips to mine.

  His lips are firm, but the kiss is amazing. He sucks and bites at mine in a way that I've never experienced. Butterflies dance in my belly and I relax in his grip. Like a puzzle, the final wolf locks into my heart. I know that I've made the right choice. This is my pack; these are my mates. Our fingers interlock, and his palm presses against the small of my back while he explores my mouth.

  "I say we have a family party when we get home," Ty's voice is gravelly.

  I break away from Brandon and make eye contact with my curly-haired mate. His green orbs flare, and I wonder if it's because he likes watching, or because he's jealous. This is going to be tricky I realize. Four wolf mates, one of them an Alpha. There's bound to be jealousy, and we just need to learn to navigate it openly so that it doesn't become a thing.

  'Oh, I love watching, Faith. And I'm a little jealous too. That back there was scary as hell. All I want to do right now is to hold you and reassure my wolf that you're not hurt.'

  'I second that. Well, not the watching part,' Lewis turns in his seat to meet my gaze.

  A low growl comes from the driver's seat. Ranger flicks his head toward my image in the rearview. A flush-burns my cheeks. I know this is hard for him, and it makes me want him more for going against his instincts for me. Wait. Do I love Ranger? Hmm, I guess I do. Startled by my own observation, I flop back in the seat and stare out the window.

  'You're surprised by this information?' Ranger's inner voice is cocky as hell.

  'You stay out of my head when not invited. ALL of you!'

  "If you want us out, you need to stop projecting," Lewis shrugs from his spot in front of me.

  I don't answer. Keeping my eyes trained on the landscape, I blank my mind and try to exami
ne the connection between me and the guys. Why is it so easy for them to hear me? I've had trouble with mind-speak all my life, until now. What if they're all my True-mates to some degree? Is that a thing? I'm not well versed enough in our bond to really understand what's happening … but I can feel them all the same as I can Ranger. Interesting. I don't get it. I've slept with Ty, and there was no 'click' in the bond like with Ranger … and yet. My head hurts. I can't even think about this right now. I decided to table it for later.

  "Time for a fucking drink!" Lewis drawls as we crowd into the cabin.

  "I like where your head's at!" Ranger rubs his palms together as they head towards the kitchen.

  Shaking my head, I flop onto the sofa. Ty immediately starts building a fire, and Brandon takes the seat next to me. He pulls my legs into his lap, slides off my shoes, and starts to rub my feet. Now, this is something I could get used to! When his fingers press into the sole of my foot, I almost die. The tension from the day slowly fades as his hands move up my calves and back down to my toes.

  "Whiskey sour?" Lewis shakes a glass beside my head.

  The clink of the ice is luring. I sit up and take the glass from his hands with a smile. The first sip burns as it makes its way down my throat, but I take another deep gulp and lean back against the cushions. Ranger hands glasses to Brandon and Ty then sits on the floor in front of me. His back pressed against my thigh, and I run my free hand through his dark hair. The crackle of the fire and the swish of liquid in glasses is the only sound as we all settle in for the evening. The silence is comfortable. My eyes flick over each of my men, and warmth settles over me like a cozy blanket.

  "How does this work?" Ranger stares into the fire.

  "How does what work?"

  "This," he gestures around the room.

  "However, we want it to work, I suppose," I shrug and scrape my nails against his scalp. "I don't think we should force any parameters on what we are, let it be as it will."

  His shoulder muscles bunch, but he nods curtly. Brandon's hands tighten on my feet, and Ty winks in my direction. When I look over to Lewis, who's perched on the fireplace ledge, the pucker to his plump lips melts me. My stomach tightens, and my blood runs hot. I don't care which of them beds me tonight, but one or all of them better. I'm stressed the fuck out and need the comfort and release.

  'It's my turn to show you what I'm made of,' Brandon licks his lips. I can see the bulge in his pants growing, and I'll be fucked if I'm not interested as hell to get that cock inside of me.

  'Oh no, he does not get to hog you tonight, Faith,' Lewis' inner voice crackles with heat.

  "It's not private when you broadcast, mother fuckers," Ranger grumbles.

  The gleam in Brandon's eye when he leans over to me is pure sex. His hand wraps around my neck, and our lips meet roughly. Ranger grumbles, twisting his body toward me. He places a hand between my legs and claims my sweet spot. Tricky fucker wants me to know who's boss even while Brandon's tongue is fucking my mouth, and it's working.

  My hips buck of their own accord, and Brandon wiggles a hand under my butt. My body is on fire. If I could think my clothes off, I would. Another set of hands joins the fray, lifting my shirt and fondling my naked breasts. I've half a mind to look and see who, but the chuckle near my side gives Ty away. Instead, I sink into Brandon's hold and ride the waves.

  "Get her pants off," Ranger barks. "Or move your ass so I can."

  Brandon smiles into my mouth but shifts his body to my side. I can feel him and Ranger switching spots before a warm set of fingers tickles my waistband. "Are you sure about this, Faith?" Our Alpha asks.

  Not wanting to stop the kiss, I use mind-speak to harsh out a 'YES!' A grunt is all the reply I get as my pants are removed. The cold air caresses my skin, and I stretch my toes. My foot is captured mid-stretch, and Ranger's lips begin a slow march from my ankle to my center. I can't believe I have three, wait, all four of these men touching me. Lewis joins the fray with a hair pull that might send me over the edge.

  Digging my hands into Brandon's hair, I wriggle and manage to situate my core under Ranger's chin. He blows hot air against my mound, and all I can do is throw my head back when his tongue finally makes contact. I've never had so much of my body being stimulated at once. I'm on overload. Lewis takes the opportunity to claim my mouth. After that, I'm not sure whose hands are where my breasts are being sucked, and the nipples pinched. Ranger's feasting on my pussy while someone else is massaging my feet. My body flies into overdrive and the most intense wave of expectation and then release washes over me.

  "Goddess above," I yelp when Lewis lets me come up for air.

  "Okay everyone got to touch, now I'm taking her to bed if she'll let me. Faith?" Brandon looks down, waiting for my reply.

  I nod, and he scoops me up before anyone can object. I'm basically a pile of mush in his arms, stars flashing behind my lids. There are a few rumbles of dissent coming from behind us, but no one intervenes. Brandon's chest vibrates with an almost childlike giggle as we pass through the threshold to his room.

  "I can't believe that worked," he winks down at me as he sets me on the bed lightly.

  "Mmm, I'd say you're lucky there wasn't a riot."

  Leaning upon my shoulders, I watch as he strips off his clothing as if he were being timed. I love his rugged yet soft looks. His brown hair is the epitome of messy chic, and his beard is trimmed close enough to show off his perfect jawline. Plus, what girl doesn't love a set of abs that end with a vee. Once he's down to his boxers, he hops into the bed beside me.

  "There could still be one," he smirks.

  I burst out laughing and throw my arms around his neck. Our lips meet again, only this time there's no one running interference. Heat rises between us, melting me instantly. I wrap my legs around his waist, molding our bodies together. His boxers are in my way, and I whine. Brandon hums into my mouth before removing them. He positions himself, rubbing the head of his cock along my slit, teasing me.

  "Stop fucking around and get inside of me," I growl.

  "Yes, ma'am," Brandon husks.

  He takes in a breath as he slides his length into me slowly. Biting my lip, I lift my hips to take him all the way. Every fiber of my body pulses with pleasure. Our bodies sync, and we lock lips. Brandon's gyrating hips run his tip right against my sweet spot, I fasten a leg around his and clamp down. The pressure builds, and our bodies begin to slick with sweat. I can't stop nipping and biting his full lips, he's a star kisser, and I love it.

  "You feel so good, Faith," he whispers as his lips trail along my chin.

  I want to reply, but at that moment, a wave of passion crests, and I fall apart. Gathering my Alpha power, I lift my mouth to his shoulder and clamp down in a mate hold. My hands tangle in his hair. I tighten my leg around his waist, riding it out until I'm spent. Brandon growls like he's trying to hold back, but ultimately loses control and comes with me. His face flushes, and he bites his lip as he looks down at me.

  "I swear I'll be good again in two shakes, I'm sorry, babe."

  "Mmm, you're good."

  A tingling sensation runs through my mate bond. I can feel Brandon stronger than before, though still not as strong as Ranger. Curious, I reach for Ty and realize the same goes for him. Interesting, I guess I wasn't paying close enough attention before.

  "Hey, where'd you go?" Brandon kisses my nose.

  "I'm sorry, I was feeling around in my mate bond. I can sense you there now," I lock eyes with him.

  Brandon stills, his lips forming an 'o'. He's adorable as a wash of emotions lights up his face. After the initial shocked look, his lips soften, and his grin goes all sideways and goofy. He leans forward and nuzzles my neck, humming.

  "That's good news for me. At least I know why I came so fast, you fucking mate bonded me, that shit was hawt!"

  "It is," I chuckle.

  "Maybe this was all meant to be, the Goddess works in mysterious ways," he adds.

  "Maybe you should focus on get
ting back to fucking me," I reach down and stroke his reforming erection. There'll be a time for that kind of talk. Right now, I just want more.

  "Or he could move the fuck over," Lewis enters the room with swagger.

  My eyes bulge. Two of my men in the same bed is definitely something I've had dreams about, but I didn't think it was actually going to happen. Brandon looks over his shoulder at Lewis, then down at me with a smirk. He shifts his hips and reenters me with a growl. Fuck me, his strokes get me going so fast I can barely register where Lewis is in the room until his lips crash into mine.

  "Can I watch?" Ty's voice calls from the door.

  "The more, the merrier," Brandon caresses my chin.

  The floorboards creak, and the bed dips. Ty's body curls up on my other side, his fingers tangling in my hair. I thought my body was on fire before, but I was obviously miscalculating. The only one missing is Ranger, but I'm not hopeful he'll join.

  "I want on top," I push at Brandon's shoulder.

  We shift positions, and I straddle his waist. Seeing the three wolves lying side by side does something to me. My heart catches in my throat, I need to bond with Lewis too. I'm hungry for him and that big dick I know he's packing. His eyes twinkle, and his lip curls in a sideways smile. I figure I'm probably projecting, and I don't give a rat's ass.

  "Why are there so many items of clothing on you all?" I cross my arms.

  Brandon smiles underneath me. The other two eyeball each other before they start shucking off items. Here it is, the moment of truth. Will they all be okay with rubbing skin? My question is more than answered when they both kneel beside me and start kissing my neck. Excited and turned on as fuck, I grab both by the shaft and start grinding my hips into Brandon. This is fast becoming the hottest night of my life.

  "You gotta quit milking my dick like that, you're making me a two-pump chump again," Brandon locks his hands on my hips.