Katlyn changed the subject. “Are you really okay with Seth taking Melody off the ranch?”
“Actually? No, but after seeing Carrie’s condition the other night, I think it’s a wise decision.”
“I hope that Carrie really plans to clean her life up,” Katlyn said.
“I wouldn’t count on it,” Chase said. “She’s been like that for years, but I hope that she loses that Jason character. He’s really bad news.”
“Don’t worry, Katlyn, I’m not planning to cause Seth any problems. It’s important that Melody is happy.”
“I’m glad to hear that, Brendan. Although, yesterday you weren’t as forthcoming as you should have been. You acted like you didn’t even know that Seth was Melody’s father.”
“I’m sorry about that, but since he’s never really been in Melody’s life, I guess I didn’t want to think about it since I’ve been angry at Seth for so long. I believed Carrie’s stories about Seth, and as far as I was concerned, they were true based on what he had done in regards to Wenise. It never occurred to me that she had lied through her teeth. Carrie knows how to play the victim when it suits her.”
“I’ll have to agree with that, but I just think she’s selfish and only thinks about her needs. You just can’t do that when you have a child. I’ve been told when you have a child, your entire life is completely changed forever.”
“I’m sure that will be the case for us, too, but I hope at least some of our life won’t change completely.”
Katlyn knew exactly what he meant, but changed the subject instead. “Soon, we’ll have something else to deal with.” She took a drink of her milk, trying hard not to make a face. “I called my parents. They’ll be here in a couple of days.”
Both men swallowed hard, and Brendan asked, “What did you tell them about your life here?”
Katlyn sighed heavily. “Actually, nothing. I didn’t think it was something I should say over the phone. It’s hard enough for me to come to grips with the fact that I’m pregnant with twins and have two mountain lion shifters for mates.”
Brendan looked somber now, as he said, “I don’t think I’ve ever dealt with an angry father before.”
Katlyn’s brow knitted. “I find that hard to believe.”
“Well, it’s true. Then again, we’ve never taken a mate before.”
“Didn’t you almost, once? Wenise?”
“I loved her. I won’t deny it, but back then Chase and I weren’t doubling up on women. I thought I was ready to take that step, until Wenise began seeing other men behind my back.”
“How positive are you that she ever carried your child at all?”
“She told me it was my baby, but she didn’t want to be exclusive, and we were just too young to be mates. I’ll admit that she broke my heart and that’s why I began having ménages with Chase. I never thought I’d ever get to the point where I’d want to take a mate,” Brendan said. “Until you came along. When I first laid a hand on you back at the club in Wisconsin, I knew I was lost.”
“At first, it was for fun, until we met you, Katlyn,” Chase agreed. “I’m willing to share you with Brendan since we run this ranch together. And now that you carry our children, we’re forever bonded.”
Katlyn smiled. She loved the sound of that. “I’m glad I came to Wyoming, and I love you both despite your issues.”
“What issues?” Brendan asked.
“Oh, come now. Brendan, you have control issues for sure, but I know deep inside you’re a very emotional man. You’re also a very proud and kind man. That day when you both were helping that mare give birth was the day I knew that I’d made the right decision to become your mate.” Katlyn turned to Chase, “And you, Chase. You need to stand up to Brendan more. You let him call the shots when I can tell that you’d rather not.”
“Fine, my turn,” Chase said. “Katlyn, you need to speak up when you don’t like something instead of allowing Brendan to lead you any way he wants.”
Katlyn didn’t think she did that at all.
“I can stand up for myself just fine, like yesterday when Brendan wanted me to leave so he could have alone time with you. I refused,” Chase informed her.
Katlyn smiled. “I’m glad you did, but we had our alone time when Brendan left last night. I’d like an explanation, Brendan.”
Brendan moved to clear the dishes as they were finished eating.
“Don’t walk away from me,” Katlyn said. “Tell me.”
He turned to face her. “Fine, I damn near shifted into animal form. I had to leave or it would have gotten very awkward fast.”
Katlyn’s mouth formed a big O. “I see. Well, in that case, I’m not mad at you for leaving.”
Brendan and Chase insisted that Katlyn rest while they cleaned up since she had cooked, and it was the nicest thing she’d ever had anyone do for her. These two shifters had more decorum than any human male she’d ever known.
Katlyn went over to the sink just as Brendan and Chase had finished discussing how they should handle it when Katlyn’s parents showed up. “We’ll let Katlyn decide when and how to tell them about the babies.”
“Yes, that’s exactly how it will have to go. My dad is really overprotective,” Katlyn explained. “I’m not sure what will sound worse to them, me being pregnant or that I have two mates who happen to be mountain lions.”
Brendan nodded, rinsing the sink out. “I’d hate to let all these bubbles go to waste.”
“Oh, what did you have in mind?” Katlyn asked, unbuttoning her dress suggestively. “I’m game if you are.”
Katlyn had no idea what Brendan had in mind, but she was more than willing to find out. She took her dress off and tossed it on the counter, unhooking her bra, but didn’t directly take it off. She’d give him what he wanted, but she wanted to tease him first. Katlyn drooped her shoulders a tad until the straps of her bra trailed down to rest near her elbows. Brendan licked his lower lip suggestively, and only then did he pull her bra away. As Katlyn’s breasts bounced free, Brendan took one in his hand, squeezing a sensitive nipple until it hardened under the pressure of his finger and thumb as he rolled it. Katlyn let out a long sigh and turned her to face the sink. “Make sure you use plenty of suds, honey,” Brendan instructed her.
She ran the water and her panties filled with wetness. Katlyn made a motion like she was about to wash the dishes, feeling Brendan rolling her panties down to her knees. It was then that she heard his zipper pulled down and he slapped his hardness against her ass, so hard that she winced slightly. It didn’t hurt, exactly, but it stung a bit.
Brendan pushed Katlyn against the sink, reaching for the suds, and smeared them on Katlyn’s breasts. Both of his hands worked her now as he squeezed and tugged, nearly driving her insane at the pleasure. She loved to be man-handled, or in this case, shifter handled. He nudged her thighs apart with his knee and if he hadn’t had ahold of her, she’d have fallen. She squirmed until her panties were at her ankles, kicking them away. Never once did Brendan drop his hands from what he was doing with her breasts as Chase joined them, pressing a finger at her core, easing it into her wetness. Katlyn moaned as she’d just lost it from Brendan working on her breasts and Chase brought her to a quick orgasm. When Chase’s finger left her, she groaned in disappointment until Brendan bent her slightly, taking her hard and fast. The slapping sound echoed around the small room as he pummeled Katlyn. She had to hold herself as she was very nearly slammed against the counter with each thrust, but instead of even thinking about protesting, she was screaming for him to do it harder and faster. When the first of the orgasms hit, she nearly sobbed at the intensity. She tightened around his shaft and he muttered, “Damn, girl. You’re gonna cut off my circulation.”
Katlyn frowned when Brendan’s hands left her breasts, gripping her hips and pulling her against him until he left her abruptly. Chase now took ahold of her arm and pulled her back into the dining room and sat down. “Sit on me, girl, and ride me like a cowgirl would ride her cowb
oy.”
Katlyn would ride this cowboy shifter all right, any way he wanted it. She slid his cock inside and sat with a thump as her back hit against the table.
“Are you okay?”
She nodded, and with her feet braced on the floor she bounced up and down on his hardness, with her breasts in full motion. “Oh, yes,” he said. He thrust upward, meeting her halfway, his hands finding her breast and pinching her nipples, sending Katlyn into orbit.
Chase groaned, his face reddening as he pumped his load into her. He then held her tenderly, her sex still twitching with need, wanting more. She bumped against him again, and he said, “Damn, woman. I’m not Superman, you know. I need to recover before I’ll be able to do it again.”
“Luckily, you have two mates,” Brendan said, easing her up. “I’m not done with you yet.” He led her over to the bed and positioned her on her hands and knees, taking her from behind, much to Katlyn’s delight since she loved the deeper penetration she got in this position. Brendan put one foot on the bed with his knee raised, working his cock in her slowly, at first, until she tried to buck back at him to increase his rhythm, but he only chuckled. “Don’t be so darn impatient.” He moved in and out of her slowly until she begged for more, finally giving it to her hard and fast until it stung her innermost parts at the skin to skin contact. But was she going to complain? No, sir.
Brendan’s breathing began to become more erratic, his strokes more intense, until she felt his cock expand as he pumped into her. They were both drenched in sweat when they were finished and collapsed on the bed, Chase crawling up to join them. But he didn’t interfere as Brendan held Katlyn close.
* * *
Hours later, Katlyn was in the bathroom, taking a quick shower, and that’s when the anxiety hit her. Her parents were really going to be here soon and she had no idea what they’d say. She just hoped that her dad wouldn’t demand that she leave Wyoming.
The cabin still smelled like chicken when she wandered back toward the bed, where both her mates were still sleeping, thankfully. After she was lying next to them in bed, her mind wouldn’t quit worrying about her parents since she was horrible about standing up to her father. Sure, she had moved away from home, but that was for college. She’d never given her parents an opportunity to protest when she found a teaching job straight out of high school in Newbury, Wisconsin. Yes, this sure would prove to be interesting.
Chapter Thirteen
Katlyn was back at the schoolhouse the next morning, met by a very excited Melody who came with Maxwell, telling her all about how great it was at Silver Creek.
“We live in a huge cabin with Raphael and Maxwell. At first, I thought it was strange, a human living amongst werewolves, but Raphael and my dad are good friends and are looking for a woman to call their mate, too, just like Brendan and Chase.”
“That’s odd, indeed, but what do I know.”
“You’re a teacher and you know everything,” Melody said with a small gasp. “Anyway, it’s great to be with someone my own age, but who is Tessa?”
“Why?”
“My dad and Raphael were asking if I knew her, but I told them no. Who is she?”
“She’s my friend.”
“Is it true she’s a real vampire?”
Oh, my. This wasn’t a conversation Katlyn wanted to have with her students. “Yes, she was just turned.”
“Oh, cool. Can I meet her? I’ve never met a real vampire. I’ve seen Paige a few times, but I never talked to her before.”
“I’m not sure that’s a good idea. What if she decided to bite you?” Katlyn asked with a wink.
“That would be so cool!”
“No, it wouldn’t. What would happen if a vampire bites a shifter, anyway?”
“I don’t know, but I’d sure love to find out.”
“She wouldn’t do that, anyway. She’s not like that.” Katlyn sighed. “How about you work on the math problems on the board and leave the talking about vampires for another time.” Like never, was Katlyn’s thought.
Katlyn had to smile at Melody. She’d never seen her so happy before. So far, it seemed like Seth might be the best thing that ever happened to her. Of course, children should be with their mother, but with someone like Carrie, it was hard saying what would happen.
After school was over and Katlyn had locked up, Melody and Maxwell were waiting outside for her. “Are you going to the bazaar tonight, teacher? It’s not until after dark and you could bring your friend, Tessa. I have the feeling that Raphael and my dad would like to see her again.”
“Aren’t you a little too young to play matchmaker?”
“I’d just love to have a real family like you’ll have soon, with a mom and a dad.”
“I thought children usually wanted their parents together.”
“Not me. But then again, my dad and mom were never together. I hope Mom lets me live with Dad forever. At least he doesn’t drink.”
“Alcohol isn’t a problem for everyone, and you should support your mother if she makes an actual effort to change.”
“I suppose, but I’ve heard all of those promises before,” she said, racing to meet her dad, who walked up with Raphael.
Katlyn waved as they left and made her own way home. Perhaps the bazaar tonight just might be a great way for Tessa to get off the ranch for a time.
* * *
When Katlyn returned home, she found Brendan at the table, drinking coffee from the fragrance that wafted in the air. “I heard there’s a bazaar tonight in town and I’d really love to go.”
“Sure, I must have forgotten to mention it. It’s the event of the year and we never miss it.”
“Great, it would be the perfect opportunity for Tessa to get away from the ranch.”
Brendan’s smile faded. “I’m not sure if she’s ready to mingle amongst so many humans, yet.”
“She’ll be fine. I’m sure she’s recovered nicely since her transfusion and she needs this. We all do. She needs to get out when she can, or who knows what might happen.”
“Okay, fine, but only if Paige agrees.”
“I’ll ask her right now. I have a feeling that a certain alpha and his friend might just be interested in Tessa. Melody said they’ve asked about her.”
Brendan nodded. “Well, that would certainly distract her, but Raphael didn’t seem to be happy with her when she tried to bite him. However, Tessa is a beautiful woman so things have a way of changing. Don’t get your hopes up.”
“I’m not, but Tessa needs a good man or two in her life, too. Look what happened with me.”
“Fine, my little matchmaker, but don’t be surprised when it doesn’t work out. I don’t even know Raphael that well to say how it might go. Perhaps you should just stay out of it.”
“Nonsense, you’ll see. I’m heading out to the main house now if you’d like to come along and ask Paige her thoughts on the matter.”
Katlyn went out the door and Brendan followed her, a few paces behind. Chase caught up to them and asked, “Where are you two going in such a hurry?”
“She has an idea that Tessa needs to get involved with the new alpha and possibly Seth.”
“Really? I had no idea Raphael and Seth were that close of friends.”
“Very funny,” Katlyn said. “We’re going to ask Paige for her blessing about Tessa going to the bazaar tonight with us.”
“I can’t miss this,” Chase said.
When they made it to the front door, Brendan held it open for Katlyn and they found Paige and Tessa in the front room, drinking tea.
Tessa turned at Katlyn’s approach. “Hello, Katlyn.”
Katlyn admired the black pants and shirt that hugged Tessa’s much thinner frame. She even wore black boots like Paige had on, although she was dressed all in white.
“You look amazing, but why ever are you wearing all black.”
“She’s in her dark phase,” Paige said. “Completely normal for a new vampire.”
“It’s okay if s
he goes to the bazaar in town tonight. Isn’t it?”
“Sure, but we’ll have to keep a close eye on her since she’s gone through so much. I would rip Ed’s throat out if I didn’t need his blood supply.”
“Ed?”
“The man who runs the blood bank.”
“Oh,” Katlyn said. “I’m sure she’ll be fine and on her best behavior. Right, Tessa?”
“Anything to get out of here for a while. I’m getting stir crazy.”
* * *
Just as the sun had gone down, Brendan, Chase, Katlyn, Paige, and Tessa were heading into town in the SUV. Angus had been invited, but he insisted on staying behind to keep an eye on things.
Katlyn tugged on her pants, wishing she had a pair that was more generous in the waist since her abdomen had begun to look more rounded than it had just the day before. She worried what her newly changed body might do to her mates when they saw it. Would they be turned off? From the way Brendan and Chase looked at her, she thought not, but it was just something any pregnant woman would worry about. Except that Katlyn had two mates and not just one husband. She rather liked that shifters weren’t so wrapped up in getting married. They simply called you their mate and that was that. If only she could explain it so easily to her parents when they made an appearance.
Katlyn half expected that they would have shown up today since her parents were basically early for everything. It was what some might call a flaw, but being taught that from an early age had saved her ass on more than one occasion, be it school or a job. She was given her first job since the other girl had been too late for the interview. Wisconsin seemed like a million years ago to her now, but in a good way.
Brendan parked in the parking area that had been set up with lights within walking distance of town. All along the street, paper lanterns were hanging to light up the wares that business owners had set up. The Central Clothing Company had denim piled high, with western shirts hanging on racks and a vivacious brunette manning the station, who gave Chase a wink. Katlyn took his arm, staring back at the young lady with a narrowed eye.
Brendan chuckled. “Don’t worry about her.”
Taken (M/F/M red-hot menage shifter romance) Standalone (Shadow Creek Shifters Book 2) Page 10