Shadowlands Sector, Three

by Mila Young

  “Hey, Bardhyl, what did you and the northern Alpha talk about back in the woods? You were talking in Danish, right? It’s like you made a joke or something,” Meira asks.

  I glance over my shoulder to see Bardhyl smirk to himself. Even Dušan, who remains in the rear just in case anyone sneaks up on us, leans in, curious to hear the conversation.

  “He asked me what region I came from, and when I told him, he said he thought I looked familiar, then made a joke that one of my distant relatives is marrying someone in his pack, and she’s just as big as me. Her fated mate is not. But you know what this means? I have some blood family alive.” He chuckles to himself, and it warms my heart to hear Bardhyl found a connection back to his roots. After his past, he accepted that he’d lost his blood family, so to know there are some family members remaining must be a godsend for him.

  “That’s amazing,” Meira says. “If you go back, I want to join you and meet your relatives. I’ve always wanted to travel and visit other countries.”

  Bardhyl chuckles before saying, “If I do go, you’re all coming with me. But let’s see how things turn out.”

  “You haven’t returned since leaving?” Meira asks.

  “No.” Bardhyl swallows loudly because what he went through when he lost control of his wolf is a hard burden for anyone to carry. Even for a huge bear like him. I shake my head. I fucking love him as a brother and this is fantastic news.

  Dušan doesn’t say anything, but what we all need now is rest after everything we’ve gone through. And thankfully, I stock up on supplies in this room regularly.

  Rounding a corner deep in the tunnels where it smells heavily of earth, I reach out and my fingers graze a wooden door, just as I expected. Lowering my hand to the metal handle, I swing open the door.

  A sliver of light comes from thin cracks in the ceiling.

  I scope out the small room, taking it in one sweep of the empty space. It’s safe.

  The place is just as I left it. Two medium beds against the back wall, a table near the slits of light coming in, and a cupboard in the far corner. I plastered the walls with wooden panels long ago, and now they’ve faded to a pale brown. Simple, but what else is needed?

  “Whoa. This is so cozy.” Meira steps inside, as do the other two, and I shut the door, locking it behind them. Just in case anyone tries to sneak in.

  Meira darts around the room, inspecting the beds, and the pantry cupboard filled with food.

  Her smile brightens any day.

  The feeling never gets old. Floating on her joy is a thing of amazement and it helps me deal with the shitty situation we’ve found ourselves in.

  “We stay here for the night, rest, and then take the next steps,” I suggest as Bardhyl moves over to the cupboard. He grabs blankets, while I take the bottle of water and metal containers I’ve filled with dried food. Then I begin to make a small feast on the table.

  Whispers draw my attention to Meira and Dušan making themselves comfortable on the bed, her curled in his arms. Bardhyl gives them space and sits at the table helping himself to dried meats, lost in his own thoughts. I unwrap a large piece of cheese and cut it into chunks with the knife. Down here, the temperature remains cool enough that food doesn’t spoil quickly.

  Before I know it, I’m joining Bardhyl, slumped in my seat, both of us still naked, eating cheese and meats on crackers. “Didn’t realize how starved I was,” I murmur.

  “I could eat everything here and still be hungry.” He smiles lopsidedly, and his gaze sails over to the pair on the bed. They need some alone time after everything.

  “So, thoughts on how we destroy Mad?” I ask.

  Bardhyl stuffs a big slice of cheese into his mouth before reaching for more crackers. When he swallows his food, he says, “Element of surprise. We need something he isn’t expecting to give us time to reach him.”

  I scratch my head. “Great idea. We just don’t have the element of surprise. Mad’s surely expecting us.”

  His lips thin. “That’s the part I haven’t worked out yet.”

  MEIRA

  Dušan wipes away the loose tear threading from the corner of my eye. “No more crying, gorgeous. We made it out alive and now we’re the ones Mad should be scared of.”

  The determination in his voice, the belief he holds, is reason enough that I straighten my back and chase away the fear of what could have happened. I’ve always been one to put the past behind me and move forward. But with my growing feelings for these three Ash Wolves, something within me has shifted. A trepidation, a gut feeling weighing me down that I may lose them.

  “You’re right,” I say. I wipe my cheeks clean as I pull a leg under me and twist to face Dušan on the bed. “I’m holding on to fear, and that’s stupid.”

  He cradles the sides of my face with his large palms, and I beam under his gaze. He always makes me feel like nothing can touch me. “You are the strongest person I know. We are going to defeat Mad, and then the four of us can be together how we were meant to.”

  I try to ignore the shiver gripping my spine and avoid asking the obvious question of how in the world we’re going to achieve that. This isn’t the time for those thoughts. After being battered and deflated, this is a time to recharge.

  “I’m ready to destroy Mad.”

  He laughs softly, and the way he looks at me, I almost expect him to say I’m not going to be facing Mad. But instead, his mouth suddenly grazes mine, gentle at first, then he kisses me intensely. It’s scorching hot, thunderous. I melt against him. After everything, this is exactly what I desire. To have him against me, to hear the hunger in his growls, to feel his desperate arousal.

  Whatever we have going is so much more than animal and physical attraction. This is a deep passion that sweeps through me like an inferno, and I stand no chance of driving it aside.

  When he pushes his tongue past the seam of my lips, I moan with need, and I glide my hand along his rock-hard chest, my fingers pulling at his top. I draw him closer and kiss him with the built-up emotions that have me knotted up.

  Eagerly, we kiss like chaotic teenagers, lips bruising, teeth clicking, and I want so much more. We may be in a small, icy cold grotto of a room that smells like stale bread, but a sense of comfort and safety encases me.

  It’s been too long since I had all my men with me, and now I intend to make the most of everything I’ve missed.

  He groans against my mouth before dragging his lips over my chin and to the curve of my neck, where he nibbles on my skin. I tilt my head back, my eyes shut, and only focus on the heaviness of his breath, the warmth of his mouth, the hunger at which he takes mock bites out of my shoulder.

  Greedy fingers tug on the sleeve of my coat, finding more skin to smother in kisses.

  His hands fall between us and unbutton my coat hastily. He nudges the fabric open, exposing me completely naked underneath. Sliding the coat over my arms, he makes quick work of scrunching the material halfway down my arms. With my arms trapped in the sleeves, he tucks them behind my back.

  “I’m caught,” I whisper, breathing heavily, trying to pry free my arms.

  His smile is devious and it sends shivers of exhilaration up my spine. “No, you are exactly where I want you. I’ve dreamed of you every moment we were apart, my wolf going mad with the need to connect. And I’m going to claim that sweet pussy I’ve missed so much.”

  Just hearing him talk this way has me practically on the edge of a climax. I suck in each breath, my hands tucked under my back.

  Lucien and Bardhyl close in on either side of Dušan, their cocks erect as they have no doubt been watching us from across the room.

  Dušan doesn’t even seem to notice, but if he does, he doesn’t bat an eye. His attention never leaves me as he slides his fingers over my knees and lower, then he grabs my ankles. He brings them up, my knees bending, as he props my heels up on the edge of the bed. With two hands, he pries them wide open.

  There is no denial that having three men staring at
my most intimate of places does something extraordinary to my confidence.

  I feel like a queen, like someone so precious that everything I’d suffered in the past dissolves. And I adore that sensation so much.

  “Cupcake, you are stunning,” Bardhyl says in his deep voice, his hand on his large cock.

  Lucien’s eyes have already glazed over, lost in his thoughts.

  Dušan strips down in seconds and before me stand my Alphas.

  “Please…” I implore them.

  That small demand has Dušan running his hands along the inside of my thighs, spreading me wider.

  His thumb brushes over my clit so lightly, it sends me into small shudders.

  “Is this what you want?” he asks.

  “Fuck!” Lucien claims, his hand also palming his thick cock in slow strokes.

  The edge of Dušan’s erection dances over my entrance.

  I’m drenched, and I crane my head forward to reach him, anything to make him take me.

  Gripping the sides of my legs, he pushes into me. The other two watch like nothing in the world can rip them away from the sight.

  I moan the deeper he plunges, spreading me, filling me. Energy skitters down my body as he thrusts so hard and fast, my whole body jerks on the bed.

  I arch my back, crying out with the arousal burning through me. The sounds and the smells are hypnotic.

  “Never stop,” I murmur.

  His fingers find my hardened nipples and he plucks them, flicks them, all while riding me. Our bodies grind together, his gaze never leaving mine. We stare into each other’s eyes as he fucks me madly.

  I belong to him, to Lucien, to Bardhyl. Months ago, I would have laughed hysterically at the thought of belonging to anyone, let alone three Alphas. Now I can’t imagine my life without them.

  And just as much I am theirs, they belong to me as well.

  Dušan shoves into me, and my entire body jolts, my breasts bouncing. Lucien and Bardhyl stroke themselves quickly now, their gazes devouring me.

  Adrenaline charges across my body, and already, there’s the familiar sensation of Dušan swelling inside me. There’s nothing that compares to the euphoria of him enlarging, his cock knotting. Pushing and nudging and hooking himself to remain locked within me.

  Arousal rockets through me. Hastily, he loops an arm under my back and lifts me up and off the bed. I wrap my legs around his hips as he loosens my hands from the coat.

  I throw my arms around his neck and bury my face against his chest as he ruts into me.

  I’m gasping for air when my climax bursts from deep within me. I cry out, but he kisses me, stealing my scream as I convulse in his arms. My body is wracked with shudders.

  “Fuck!” Lucien growls in the background.

  Bardhyl snarls like a lion, while a primal animalistic roar rolls through Dušan’s chest.

  Nothing even comes close to the warmth pulsing through me, at my inner walls clenching Dušan’s cock. I’m wrapped around him, and I feel his thickness thrumming within me. He grunts against my mouth suddenly, and that warmth spreading inside is him flooding me with his seed. He pumps into me, claiming me, laying his stake over me.

  And it’s everything I want.

  We’re both sweating, perspiration running down my back.

  “That was fucking hot!” Lucien mumbles from the corner of the room, where he’s grabbed tissues and is now cleaning himself up.

  Bardhyl has his shirt pressed up against his erection, his eyes fluttering upward, as he’s clearly still floating from his arousal.

  When I meet Dušan’s gaze, he kisses me once, gentler than before, and murmurs, “Now I feel like I’m at home.”

  Chapter 18

  Bardhyl

  I lie awake, on the floor on blankets while war plays on my mind, and my heart clenches at what is at risk. I consider the idea of us four just leaving everything behind, not endangering our lives. It won’t be easy, but it’s a direction forward. It’s safer.

  Except leaving behind the rest of the Ash Pack is not feasible option. We have friends we consider family, and there is no way Dušan will walk away. Which brings me back to how in the world we overcome Mad when we are outnumbered. Not to mention, Meira’s at risk, and the woman is so stubborn, she won’t remain behind if I command her.

  I grind my teeth, exhaling loudly at the thought. No matter how I look at this, I don’t know how to keep her safe. There are no guarantees we’ll win this battle, but I can’t bring her down with us. So, once Dušan wakes, he and I need to talk. We have a fucking problem and I need it to be resolved before we take on Mad.

  “Can’t sleep?” Meira’s soft voice finds me in the early morning light barely illuminating the room.

  I glance over at the bed, where she stares down at me, smiling. Sleep still clings to her eyes, her dark hair a mess, and she’s yawning. When I look at her, I see everything I’m not, everything I wish I could be. I’m no fool. I lost my innocence long ago. Killing does that to you, but Meira is different. So how the fuck am I meant to risk her life?

  “Not really,” I answer.

  Carefully, she climbs out of bed trying not to disturb the other two snoring away. She doesn’t bother covering herself, coming to me naked, like a beautiful apparition. Those gorgeous curves undo me. Shit! My gaze trails over perfect tits, her tiny waist, the small thatch of hair between her legs. She’s everything I desire in a woman… soft curves and swells, her scent intoxicating, and a damn temper to match my own. Everything about her is tempting. She’s smart and quick-witted, rushes headfirst to protect those she’s loyal to. I adore everything about her.

  She kneels beside me.

  With her naked and my erection hardening, the problem is keeping my head on straight. Last night after Dušan claimed her, she fell asleep in his arms from exhaustion. I finished off the food, by which time Lucien and Dušan had gone to bed with her.

  Now, she leans in close and kisses me, the softness of her breasts on my chest. My breath catches in my throat. The enticement to lift her and place her over my hips suffocates the air out of my lungs. I long to bury myself deep inside her, to have her ride me.

  I’m only a male, for fuck’s sake. A horny bastard who can’t get enough.

  “Morning,” she whispers, her breath warm on my ear, sending blood rushing down to my cock. “I need to go to the toilet,” she says.

  I almost burst out laughing. Here I am getting a hard-on, and my girl is bursting. “Of course, angel legs. Let’s get dressed and I’ll go outside with you. There are some old clothes in the cupboard.”

  What should have happened never does, though now I have more purpose to make this a quick trip and return to claim her while the other two remain asleep.

  It doesn’t take long before we’re out in the tunnels. Meira’s hand is in mine and my ears are alert, and even though I am still horny as hell, just being around her gives me a sense of peace.

  It’s deadly silent. Only the sound of wind whistling through the passage, and the scents reveal no intruders. By the time we reach the main tunnel, the faint trickle of light from the opening in the distance guides us forward.

  “If you were a gambling man, what are our odds of defeating Mad?” Meira asks, which makes me wonder if I wasn’t the only person unable to sleep last night.

  “My confident self says there’s no doubt we’ll eradicate him.”

  “But…” She glances over at me, her hand stiffening in my grasp. She’s worried, and how can I blame her when we still don’t have a proper plan that goes beyond sneaking in and trying to get Mad alone? A plan riddled with holes that might get us killed.

  “Nothing ever goes as smoothly,” I admit. In truth, that’s where my head is at, unable to see a clear path to end this quickly.

  Meira takes my response as doom and gloom, and she looks ahead, shadows gathering under her worried gaze.

  “Hey,” I say, turning her to face me. “You will get out of this if I have anything to do with it.” />
  “Just me?” She’s quick to catch my mistake.

  “I’m not going to mince my words, angel legs. I fear for your safety, and I would feel a damn lot more comfortable if I knew you were somewhere safe while the three of us went in for Mad.”

  She stares at me blankly, and I expect an explosion, but having her say nothing is worse. I can handle a verbal spar, but what do I do with silence? I know she’ll keep her vow if I can get her to agree, but she’s so stubborn.

  “Say something,” I prod.

  She shrugs. “There’s nothing to say. That’s your opinion. It’s not going to happen in this lifetime, but nice wish.”

  Her mocking tone… is more of what I expect. Still, I find myself grinding my teeth at her headstrong determination. The fault is mine in telling her about my thoughts, and now she’ll suspect any plans I put into place will leave her behind.

  “We’ll see,” I respond, guiding her back to the exit of the tunnel. Her hand tightens against mine, and she may infuriate me, but I don’t expect anything less from her.

  What I want is to claim her in every possible way right here, remind her I’m her Alpha, that she is staying behind. I want to protect her so nothing ever touches her again. I pray the moon goddess helps me, and I want to lock her up to know with confidence she will remain away from danger.

  “What is the plan?” she asks.

  “We need to work it out,” I reply truthfully. “A big distraction might do the trick, though the hard part is how to get close enough to Mad without being attacked by his guards.”

  Her brows pull together, like she’s pondering the answer. “Maybe we need to lure him out of the compound somehow?”

  “Possibly.” I squeeze out of the gap between the rocks blocking the entrance with a bit of grunting force. Surveying the forest for movement and sniff the air, I come back with the morning dew on the grass in my nostrils. It’s clear.

  When I turn to notify Meira, I practically step on her as she stands right behind me.

  “All safe?” She arches an eyebrow.