“Breakfast should be here shortly,” she announced before leaving the room. When the door closed, he propped himself up in the bed. Noah twisted at the waist and stretched. Landon averted his eyes when his protector’s shirt lifted enough to show smooth, tanned skin.
“Cole and Dane will be here soon,” Noah said, checking his phone. “I’m sure they are going to talk to you about staying with the pride. Right now, everyone involved with your brother is being watched.”
“Watched?” Landon frowned.
“Protected,” Noah corrected. “Olivia and Cole are staying on our land until the cartel is found. I’m sure the pride has made up a room for you to stay in for the foreseeable future, too.”
“I don’t want to impose,” Landon protested.
“You are not imposing,” Noah promised and walked over to the hospital room door when a soft knock sounded. The large shifter put his body between whoever was outside and the direct line of sight to Landon. He was using his body as a shield. Noah’s shoulders relaxed as he took the tray of food from the woman in the hallway. He set the dish on the end of the bed and lifted the covers from the food. He inhaled deep, nodded, and reached for the rolling cart that went over the bed.
“Why did you sniff my food?” Landon asked with a chuckle. It was strange, but he was quickly learning these shifters weren’t quite like humans.
“Poison,” Noah said with gritted teeth. “We can scent it. Humans can’t.”
“Seriously?” Landon gasped, then jerked from the shot of pain in his ribs. Noah’s eyes widened like he was concerned, but Landon waved him off when he came closer. “You’re kidding me, right?”
“Nope,” Noah replied, returning to his seat. “Eat your food. You’ll need your strength.”
Landon shook his head and grabbed the spoon to tackle the scrambled eggs on the platter. It hurt to move too much, and he knew he needed to take it easy, but he had to get back on his feet. He had a meeting with the builder in two weeks to break ground on his veterinary clinic on a spot of land he’d bought in town. The doctor told him his recovery would take up to six.
After several bites, Landon placed his paper napkin on the tray and leaned his head back. The shifter stood and walked over to the side of his bed to inspect the plate. “You need to eat more than that.”
“I don’t eat much,” Landon replied, rolling his head to the side. The tall, muscular Guardian sighed and shifted on his feet. When their eyes connected, Landon saw a flash of amber before he blinked it away. They stared at each other for several seconds, and Landon wondered if Noah was like him. No, he couldn’t be. From the way his brother talked, they were all straight. Landon looked down at his lap, then up again, and Noah hadn’t moved. “You okay?”
“Yeah,” Noah cleared his throat, a soft blush painted his cheeks. “Are you sure you’re not hungry?”
“I’m not hungry for food anymore,” Landon said, his voice breathless.
Chapter Eleven
“You do realize if I mount you, my beast will want to mark you, right?” Dane growled low in his throat when the scent of Olivia’s arousal filled the room. She didn’t even have to say the words, but he wanted to hear them fall from her lips. “Answer me, Olivia.”
She turned her head so she could look him in the eye. Her eyes had changed to the glowing amber of her beast and her canines were fully extended. “Yes, Dane, and I want to mark you both.”
Her words were a demand. The panther that lived inside Olivia was in charge and she wanted her mates. He wasn’t going to deny her anything.
“Cole,” Dane said, feeling his beast push at his skin. They had to do this right. “Remember what we talked about?”
“Yeah,” Cole replied. “How are we going to do this?”
“I want you on the bed,” Dane ordered. Olivia whimpered slightly when Cole released her so he could climb on the bed. Dane turned her as Cole kicked off his shorts. The human male took his cock into his hands and rested his head on the pillow.
“Are you ready for this Olivia?” Dane asked.
“Yes,” she breathed and moved to wrap her arms around his neck. She took his mouth roughly, kissing him with such passion it made his heart ache. “Tell me what to do, Dane.”
“Do you trust us?”
“With my life,” she vowed and pulled her shirt over her head. Dane knew he had to orchestrate their mating. This was an important milestone in a shifter’s life. Everyone spoke of how special their first night was after finding their forever mate. Well, he had two, and he had to make sure no one was left out.
“Climb on the bed and kiss your other mate,” he said, turning her around. Olivia stopped at the edge of the bed and pushed her shorts to her feet and kicked them off to the side. His eyes traced the contours of her thick hips while she climbed on the bed to lay down on Cole’s left side, taking his lips with the same frantic need she’d taken his.
The sight before him caused his panther to prowl, snarling and begging for release. He wanted to mount Olivia while Cole watched. He wanted to bite her neck as he looked into the other male’s eyes.
“Fuck,” he whispered and cupped his cock through his jeans. The sight before him was more than erotic. No, this was different from all the times he’d taken two lovers to bed. This was more sexual than anything he’d ever experienced. Before, those women and men were nothing but a need being sated by two warm bodies. This…this was his mating bed and the two people he would love and protect until the day he took his last breath.
This was his new life.
“Dane?” Olivia called out, a frown appearing on her lower lip. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing, sweetheart.” Dane smiled and dropped his jeans to the floor. “Everything is perfect.”
He slid onto the bed and cupped her jaw. He pulled her to his lips and let his beast take over. Even though she’d only been in this life for a few days, Olivia’s beast responded with a cackle and thick canine teeth.
“I want to bite you both so bad,” she cried, reaching back to take Cole’s hand. “My panther is agitated.”
“She’s with her mates, and she needs this mating,” Dane told her.
“Please…” Olivia snarled, her eyes changing over to a full amber glow.
“I will mount you when you are ready,” Dane offered and looked over at his other mate. “I want her over you while I take her from behind. When I raise her to bite, I want you there with us. I want you to be a part of this.”
“I’m ready,” Cole said.
Cole helped Olivia straddle his waist, pulling her down for a heated kiss. She reached back and held out her hand for Dane, her fingers turning into sharp claws. Her hands shook, but Dane held on to give her support. “You’re okay, Olivia. Your beast is taking over for the mating. Don’t fight her.”
“Touch me,” she mumbled around Cole’s lips. “Please, one of you needs to touch me.”
Cole’s hands skimmed up her sides, one hand stopping to cup her breast. The other one cupped her face. There was a magical static in the air; a force of something stronger than anything Dane had ever felt. Dane’s hand joined Cole’s, but he ran his over her back, memorizing the feel of her soft skin while the other male showed her his love. His mate must’ve felt his mating touch and released the other male. Dane took her lips and shifted his body to straddle Cole’s legs.
“Kiss him again,” Dane said with a growl and pushed her gently toward the other male. His panther was on edge, panting with the need to be inside her. Olivia purred when Cole pulled her down, leaving her ass in the air.
“Prime her for me, Cole,” Dane ordered as he fisted his cock.
Cole touched her pussy, sliding his finger inside. Olivia’s hips rolled with each thrust, and she moaned when the male found a rhythm that suited her needs. Dane’s panther was poised and ready for her, but he pushed the beast back, waiting until she was ready.
His hands folded over her hips, and she moaned when his grip tightened. When Dane pulled back, h
e could see Cole’s fingers moving in and out of her body, and it was one of the most erotic scenes he’d ever had the pleasure of viewing. He wanted nothing more than to taste her, but that would have to wait.
“Dane, please mount me,” Olivia hummed as she pulled away from her kiss with Cole. “Please…please…please.”
Cole removed his fingers, and Dane clenched his teeth when Cole brought his fingers to his mouth, tasting their mate’s pussy.
“Stay down.” Dane’s order was obeyed when she started to rise, and he rubbed his cock over her opening, feeling her wetness. He pushed inside her, noting how tight she still was even with Cole’s attention. He folded himself over her back and kissed her shoulder blade as he worked himself inside. Once he was fully seated, she let out a curse and bucked against him. He heard the tearing of the sheet where her nails were digging in. Yes, her body and beast were ready for him.
Olivia couldn’t control her desire. The beast inside her wasn’t tame, and the panther was clawing at the human part, begging to be set free. The male’s scent and desire that floated across her senses was slowly driving her insane with lust.
“Kiss me, Liv,” Cole demanded, but didn’t wait for her to make the first move. He lifted his head and claimed her lips. There was a heat about his desire. It bled from his pores, and the connection when she touched him made her need for him stronger.
“God, someone bite me,” she panted as soon as Cole released her lips. She whimpered and bucked against Dane’s cock.
Need…
Desire…
Mate…
“I’m going to mark you,” Dane said behind her. “Cole, sit up with our girl.”
Dane’s hands wrapped around the length of her hair, and the tug to pull her back to his chest wasn’t soft. No, it was a demand, and the bite of pain to her scalp was welcomed. Cole moved with her, sitting upright. Her breasts pressed into his chest, and the feel of both men cocooning her was perfect. It felt right, and the beast inside her snarled her agreement.
“I want you to bite Cole when I bite you,” Dane ordered. “It’s important we do this as a unit.”
Olivia knew her eyes were glowing amber. She could see everything in the room clearly even with the golden haze because of her changing eyesight.
“Cole…” Olivia’s hands cupped his face. “My beast needs you to be a part of this. I don’t understand this need to bite you, but it’s overwhelming.” A tear leaked from her eye.
“I am yours and Dane’s, Liv,” he vowed, tilting his head to the side. “Take my cock into your hand, and do what you need to do.”
She wrapped her left hand around his length, stroking it a few times. She let out a little gasp when Dane pulled her hair to expose her neck. This was it. He was going to bite her. How was it going to feel? Oh, god. Would she scream? They hadn’t prepared her for this.
There was no count. There was no warning. He just pressed his hand against the back of her head where he held her hair tightly toward Cole’s neck. Her nature took over and she sunk her teeth into Cole’s neck at the same time Dane struck hers with a fierceness that could only be Dane Walker.
The orgasm that exploded between the three of them should have shook the dorm. Hell, it should have leveled it to the ground. A magical connection, more than when they touched, rocketed through her body. Two beasts roared into the room, and one human male shouted his pleasure.
Cole’s guttural moan echoed through the room as Olivia’s canines sank into his neck. The pain was so intense, it was pleasurable. His cock pulsed in her hand when the orgasm skyrocketed up his spine, holding him immobile until it subsided. His eyes opened and Dane was peering over Liv’s shoulder, his gaze trained on Cole’s neck.
“I need to mark you,” Dane growled. There was a wildness about the male. Cole didn’t question it. The magic from the shifters was a thick blanket in the air. Never in a million years could he ever explain to another human being what he felt. Not only was the sexual attraction there for both his mates, but an invisible thread that bound not only their lives but also their hearts during their exchange.
Cole didn’t speak, nor did he hesitate to roll his head. Olivia slowly moved to the side to allow Dane to prowl closer to his mate. Dane’s canines were still red with Olivia’s blood, and although the sight should disgust him as a human…it didn’t. It aroused him.
Olivia positioned herself behind Dane, her eyes roaming the spot on his neck where she wanted to bite him. Dane’s upper lip vibrated with a growl of possessiveness. His eyes never lost their amber hue, either. In that moment, Cole wanted that. He wanted to be like them both.
“I want you to turn me,” he whispered as Dane’s canines sunk into the spot where his neck and shoulder met. Olivia struck Dane in the same moment, and Cole’s vision blurred for a few seconds. When the shifter pulled back, he slowly ran his tongue over the spot and moved away after Olivia did the same to him.
Her lips were softer than the touch of a butterfly’s wings as she kissed him. This woman, who’d not five minutes ago sunk her teeth into his flesh like the animal she was, became a gentle lover. If it wasn’t for her extended fangs nipping at his bottom lip, he would’ve never guessed her to be another species.
“Thank you,” she whispered against his lips. “I don’t understand everything that is going on with me right now, but the two of you make me feel safe and loved.”
“I will cherish you for always, Olivia,” Cole said, using her full name. He couldn’t keep from touching her. When he cupped her face, he noticed his hands shook. Behind him, Dane slid off the bed and grabbed a pair of shorts. Cole’s eyes watched him as the other male moved around the room, gathering a clean set of clothes for Olivia from her bag.
“It’s time to shower and get you some food,” Dane said as he approached the bed. Olivia glanced over her shoulder and gazed at Dane the same way she’d done for Cole.
“Food sounds amazing,” she hummed and turned to place a quick kiss to his lips before climbing off the bed, taking Dane’s hand.
“Cole and I will run down and see what we have for food in the kitchen while you shower,” Dane offered, handing off her clothes.
The two men walked her to the common bathroom in the hallway and waited until they heard the sound of water running before leaving her.
“I heard what you said,” Dane announced as they took the stairs down to the lower level of the dorm. “You want to be changed.”
“I do,” Cole admitted.
“Are you sure you can handle it?” Dane pressed, stopping to lean his ass against the living area’s couch. Cole cringed when he thought of the pain Liv went through with her change. The distress Dane had endured was just as bad.
“Will you and Liv have to be sedated if I were ever to be changed?” Cole asked, voicing one of his concerns aloud.
“Probably.” Dane frowned. “It’s too soon since her change. I don’t think I’m ready for another turning.”
Cole sobered. He didn’t know Dane had feelings for him like that. There was an attraction, yes, but he thought the male would be a little more at ease if Cole was to be turned, because the connection between them wasn’t as strong as it was between him and Liv or Liv with Cole.
“It can wait,” Cole promised. “I need to find the cartel first.”
“After we feed Olivia, we will head to the hospital and bring your brother home to the pride.”
“Thank you.”
Chapter Twelve
“I’m going to the hospital with you,” Olivia argued. Both of them had barked out a denial when she pushed away her plate and stood up to gather her things to go with them to see Landon.
“It’s not safe,” Cole reminded her.
“I’m a panther now,” she scowled. “I’m a lot stronger than I was.”
“But you are still weak from your change,” Dane reminded her. Olivia took stock of her body. Was she still weak? No, she really wasn’t. Hungry and horny, yes, but weak she was not.
�
��So, it’s okay for the females of your pride to train to fight, because they are stronger than human females, but I can’t protect myself because I’m new to this life?” Olivia huffed, crossing her arms over her chest. From the look on both of the men’s faces, she knew she had them.
“It’s not that we don’t think you can,” Dane replied, standing from his chair. He moved with grace as he approached her. “The issue is…you’re our mate. In our world, you are precious and cherished. To send a mate, even with her training, into a dangerous situation goes against our nature and the things we’ve been taught when it comes to females.”
“I have teeth and claws.” Olivia demonstrated her words by extending her fangs and unleashing the claws on her left hand. “I don’t need to know how to throw a punch with these babies.”
“I trust you,” Cole said, dumping their plates into the sink to be washed later. “It’s them I don’t trust.”
“I’ll be with both of you, right?” she asked, hoping to calm their fears. She didn’t see how Liberty did it with Talon always breathing down her neck about safety. Liberty and Nova were lucky. They only had one mate…Olivia had two.
“One of us will be at your side the entire time,” Cole offered. Olivia could tell Cole was going to be on her side, and may be a little more lenient than Dane.
“Fuck,” Dane swore, fisting his hands at his side. “Here I am, worrying for your safety, when I’ve been the biggest supporter of the females in our pride learning to fight. It’s damn hard when the one wanting to protect herself is your own mate.”
“See?” Olivia smiled, thinking of her friends, Evie and Hope.
“I think I owe some of the Guardians an apology,” Dane mumbled and rolled his eyes. “Not that I’m going to do that, but I probably owe them one.”
Dane (Rise of the Pride, Book 8) Page 11