by Bryce Evans
“Why did you leave and not call me?” Her voice was hoarse. “You think I want to be with someone who doesn’t think I matter enough for a phone call? I mean you checked in with Jonas, but someone who you say you love, you don’t even text or give them a phone call? How do you expect me to believe you guys?” Star responded, and sighed. She got off the couch and put the book back on the shelf. She could tell Banks and Jansen were watching her every move, but they had to know that they’d hurt her. Star paused, then turned around and said, “I’m tired, guys, and I’m going to bed.” She started to walk off, then stopped again. “I’m glad you’re safe.”
Star got upstairs and into her room before she broke down. She hated being so mean, but she wouldn’t be a mate who stood in the background and waited until her mates spoke or allowed her to do something. Her night had started off pretty good, but now it was going to shit fast.
She took her clothes off and got in the shower. She felt better as she washed her body and the tears fell. Jansen and Banks were good men, but they were also Alphas. She’d hoped that being around the other mated couples would teach them something, but she was mistaken. The fact that they never called her told her everything she needed to know.
There was a battle coming, she knew that from her dreams, but she wished them well and hoped that they found them a mate who was everything they wanted. She just wasn’t that type of person. Star turned the water on hotter and allowed the warm spray to take away her stress. She only wanted to get some peace in her life.
Getting out, she dried herself off, tired of all the events that had occurred. Her hair was still wet, but she didn’t care. She only wanted to get underneath the covers and go to sleep. Hoping that the nightmares wouldn’t come, she slipped a towel around herself and stepped out into her bedroom, then froze. Jansen and Banks were both under the covers in her bed.
She narrowed her eyes at both of them. “What are you doing in my bed?”
“Waiting for our mate,” Banks replied.
She lifted her chin and ignored their comments. “I thought I already told you that I’m not the mate for you. I won’t be left behind like I don’t matter, and if you think that I’m going to change my mind then you two are sadly mistaken. Really, did you hear any of what I said?” Star pulled her towel tighter around her. “Oh, I get it, you think just because you said we’re going to be together then that’s all that matters. Well, screw you.” She grabbed the clothes she’d laid out on the dresser, sat down on the foot of the bed and started them on. Before she could get her leg inside her pants, Jansen grabbed her underneath her arms and dragged her up on the bed.
He put his hand over her mouth so she wouldn’t scream. “Now, listen to me first, and if you still want to go after that then I won’t stop you,” Jansen said firmly.
“We are your mates, and yes, we heard what you said. We fucked up, Star, and we’re very sorry. We should have called you the moment we left. We’re hoping you’ll give us something of a learning curve here, since neither one of us has ever had to tell anyone where we were going or keep in touch with someone. We both love you. God, we would have to. You’re a smart-ass, you take things the wrong way, but even with all of your faults we love you and accept you as you are. Can you give us the same consideration? We can’t promise you that we’re not going to screw up again and again, but you have our permission to tell us when we are. But I need for you to listen to this most of all: when we left, we went to go see my grandmother. She knows people, and we wanted to locate someone who could help us when this vampire comes for you and your siblings. The one thing she stressed to us was to stay together, no matter what. I’m scared, I admit that, baby. I’m scared for you, and I’m scared that someone will try and take you away from Banks and me. But you have to help us out here and stop running. We will too. We’ll tell you everything we do from now on. We left for you.”
Tears ran down her face. They left for her. “Did you say you would start telling me everything?”
Banks and Jansen laughed. “That’s all you heard? We told you we loved you.”
“Oh I heard that, and I’m glad you do, because I love you too, but I won’t be left out,” Star said as she looked back and forth between her two mates.
Jansen reached over and jerked the towel away from her, baring her breasts. “We’ve waited long enough, my love. Tonight is the night. Are you ready?”
She smiled, then whispered, “Yes.”
Banks swept his fingers across her breasts, watching as the small buds hardened. He leaned forward and licked her nipple, then sucked it into his mouth. Star gasped and pressed her chest forward, wanting more. She could hear a small chuckle coming from Banks as he continued to lick and play with her breasts until she closed her eyes.
“You are so beautiful. Your red hair glitters like gold in the firelight. I fell in love with you the first time I saw you.” Jansen’s voice was hoarse with lust. He leaned over and licked the outside of her ear, making her shiver. He could smell her arousal as she moaned from the soft touches.
When she opened her eyes, Jansen waited until he had her attention, then started moving down her body, placing wet kisses along her smooth, pale skin until he reached what he was looking for. He looked up at her as she leaned up on her elbows.
“I want to see your expression when you come. Stay with me.” Jansen expressed.
Star nodded. He leaned over and kissed the top of her clit, then opened her up and gave a long, slow lick. She shivered and when he looked up she was still watching him and Banks. Their eyes met as he slipped his finger inside of her, catching her by surprise. He didn’t stop there; as he licked her again, he stuck two fingers inside of her. He loved getting to know his mate, from her throaty moans to her green eyes sparkling in the light.
This time when he looked up, her head was leaned back. From way she was moaning, he knew she was close. She needed to know that when they mated she’d have them both at the same time. He was a wizard, but Banks was a shifter and needed to pierce her skin with his bite to make her his mate.
“Star, look at me.” Without hesitation, Star lifted her head and stared down at him. “Are you ready, baby? We both have to take you at the same time.” Jansen loved how flushed her pale skin was as they made love to her.
“Yes,” she whispered.
Jansen looked over at Banks and nodded. They’d already discussed this beforehand. They knew their mate wasn’t experienced, and they would need to be gentle with her. At no time would they ever hurt her. She deserved everything, and tonight would be no exception.
Banks pulled Star over on top of him. She straddled his wide hips, having to stretch her legs wide, since he was so large. Banks slid his fingers back in to continue stretching her. Both of them were big men, and they would hurt her if they didn’t.
Jansen got down off the bed, went into the bathroom and looked around in the cabinets until he found a small bottle of baby oil. This was exactly what he needed to help Star with the pain.
He got back on the bed and dripped some oil down between her ass cheeks, then slowly ran circles around her rim until she was digging her fingernails into Banks chest. “Feel good baby?” Banks whispered in her ear.
“Yes, don’t stop,” Star moaned as they both kept touching her, bringing her higher and higher. Her eyes had dropped to half-mast when Jansen stuck the tip of his finger inside her ass, then back out again. Banks watched as her eyes glowed brighter and her breathing quickened.
Banks wanted to come right there as he watched Star tilt her head back and start to orgasm. Her voice was low as she groaned deep. It was the most beautiful sight he’d ever seen and nothing could be better, unless he was inside of her when she came again. He watched as her head fell forward onto his chest. Her breathing calmed down as he moving inside her again, with three fingers this time.
“I love to watch you come, baby. Your eyes sparkle and turn me upside down.” Banks’ breathing increased as he continued to tease her. She looked up
at him and smiled; he pulled her closer then put his lips over hers and kissed her. He could feel his balls tightening as he continued to tease her.
“You ready?” Jansen asked him.
“Been ready.” Banks muttered as he put her nipple into his mouth and sucked, hard, until she started to shake. He knew she was ready. He released her, then picked her up and slowly slid her over him.
“Go slow, baby,” Banks’ voice grew hoarse as Star started to lower herself down. She was so wet that she slid all the way down and then squeezed. He almost came, and had to let go of her waist when his claws came out. He stuck them into the bed as she rose up, then slipped back down again.
“Oh, sweet mother of God,” Banks growled out. His bear wanted her so bad. He wanted to pound into his sweet mate, but he wouldn’t hurt her for anything. He let her set the pace, getting used to his size. He pushed up one time, and knew that if he didn’t stop he was going to come like a sixteen-year-old cub having sex for the first time. “You got to hurry, man. Her pussy is so sweet that I’m struggling here.”
Jansen slowly slid in further as Banks pulled out. He’d pulled her head down to his so they both could take her. “Just a little more,” he said.
Star had her head down on Banks’ chest, and he needed to know if she was okay or if he was hurting her. “Star, come on, baby, let me know you’re okay.” He leaned over and grabbed her hair, then gently pulled her head back. She had her bottom lip between her teeth, and she was panting.
“You okay?” Banks asked, concerned when she didn’t respond. He started to pull out, and her eyes jumped open.
“Don’t stop. It’s okay, just trying to get used to it. Please move. It feels better when you move,” Star whispered.
Banks and Jansen both started moving, and once she got used to how big they were she loved every moment of it. Her body shuddered as her second orgasm flared upward. This was so much better than the first time she’d sex. She could tell that her mates were going easy on her, but she needed more to push her over the edge.
“More,” Star growled out. Her fingernails were digging into Banks’ chest, but every time she tried to remove them he told her no. She figured bears must like that, so she dug them in deeper when she felt her orgasm push forward. She couldn’t move; it felt like electricity was rushing through every nerve in her body. Arching her back, she screamed out.
Jansen was worried about hurting her, but she wanted more, and he gave it to her. He knew this was her first time like this. His whole body shuddered as he pushed one more time and then came inside of her. He watched as Banks’s teeth elongated and reached up and bit into Star’s neck. His felt like electricity was going straight through his body when Banks bit down.
All three of them screamed out as sparks flew out of Star’s fingers and into Banks. Whatever she’d done, it felt wonderful. It was as if her feelings came through him when Banks mated her. They were all together when it occurred. It must have something to do with her being one of the Powerful Three.
“Did you feel that?” Jansen asked. He eased out of Star, checking to make sure she was okay.
“Yes,” both Star and Banks said at the same time.
“Did I hurt you, baby?” Jansen asked, worried that he was too rough on her.
“No, I’m fine,” Star whispered as she lay on top of Banks’ chest. The big bear hugged her close, rubbing circles over her back. Jansen got up and went into the bathroom, coming out with a warm washcloth. Very lightly, he cleaned her off, taking care of her as she slept on top of Banks.
Her hair was covering her face when he bent over to check on her. He pushed it to one side so he could check her eyes; what he saw made his heart ache, knowing that she was his now and they’d protect her forever. She had a small smile on her face.
“God, she’s beautiful,” Jansen said.
“Yes she is, and now she’s ours,” Banks responded.
“We need to let her rest then get her home early. I have a feeling that something is coming tomorrow and I want to be around the others. We have to stay together, like Ne-ma instructed us. She’s never wrong, Banks.”
“Then we pack up and leave in a few hours. Let her rest, and we can leave around five in the morning. Maybe you should call Jonas and let him know we have our mate and we’ll be back soon, and to be on the look-out, because I believe every word your Ne-ma said. We have to stick together,” Banks said.
****
Jansen grabbed his cell phone and walked downstairs where he didn’t wake up Star. She needed her strength for whatever was coming.
Jonas answered on the first ring. “Did you find her?”
“Yes, and we’re fully mated too, but I need to tell you that I have a feeling that the vampire is coming tomorrow. We’re letting Star sleep a few hours, then we’ll be on our way home. Are you all going to be at the lodge?”
“Yes, since all of this has happened we thought we might need some help from our friends who are there. Larken has already briefed the ones we can trust, and we’ve moved the dance to the convention center down the road. We’re having lots of prizes and giveaways to try and contain everyone at the center. Guards will be placed all around, so we can try and keep people out. We sat down with all the Alphas and explained that there was a gas leak and nobody could come to the lodge until we got it cleared for their return. Last year everyone partied until the next day. We even served breakfast the next morning, so many people stayed there. I think the gas leak will keep them away until we can settle this. If not, then we may have to cancel and get everyone out, but I’m hoping for the first choice. We’ll have everyone contained there so nobody gets hurt,” Jonas explained.
“Sounds like a good plan to me. Just remember what my Ne-ma kept telling me; that it was essential that we stick together. After what happened tonight, I think I know what she means by it. I’ll explain when we get home. See you in a few hours.” Jansen hung up the phone. He didn’t even see June Hubbard sitting by the fire.
“Excuse me. I didn’t see you sitting there, ma’am.” Jansen smiled.
“I couldn’t sleep, so I thought some warm milk might help me. Would you join me for a cup?” June asked.
Jansen sensed that June wanted to talk to him a minute. “Of course.” He reached out so she could grasp his arm and pull herself up. It wasn’t that she needed his help, but his Ne-ma would pounce on him if he hadn’t help a lady up from her chair. He learned early on in life what manners were. She always taught him how to act around a woman. It made him ashamed of how he’d neglected Star’s feelings.
He watched as she took a pot and filled it with milk, then turned the stove on. She didn’t speak until she’d poured the warmed milk into two glasses and sat down. “Star is a wonderful woman. You and your partner are lucky men.”
“Yes ma’am, I believe that with all my heart.”
“Star said you were a gentleman, but hid it.” June took a drink as he smiled. “I’ve always gotten bad feelings when terrible things were going to happen. I knew the moment my son was killed, and other times when things have happened. I’ve lived a long time, Jansen, and when I get these feelings I trust them.” Jansen watched as June played with the ring on her finger, thinking. “Star’s in trouble. There’s a vampire who wants her and her siblings. She needs protecting at all costs. She’ll do anything to protect the ones that she loves, including Banks and yourself.”
“We know that, and we have a plan in order.” Jansen assured her.
“Yes, I know. My mate will be there too. ‘Just in case’ is what he told me, but something tells me he won’t be able to save someone. Last night my son came to me in a dream and told me to tell you, ‘When you think all else has failed, someone will come, but you have to allow him to do something that doesn’t seem possible.’ I don’t know what that means, but maybe just maybe when that moment comes you’ll remember that.” June patted his hand. “I already think the world of that girl of yours. You make sure you bring her back to see me soon. You thr
ee can come and relax here anytime you want, too. Let me know ahead of time so I can get you a bigger bed. I think Star likes the library. I put something in her bag for her; tell her that it belongs with someone who will appreciate it.”
Jansen smiled. “I’ll do that, Mrs. Hubbard. I think she’ll like that.”
“Please don’t call me Mrs. Hubbard, call me June.”
“Yes ma’am, thank you.” Jansen took his cup to the sink to wash it.
“No, you leave that cup in the sink, I’m going to put it in the dishwasher with mine. You go up to your mates,” June instructed.
Jansen got up and walked out of the kitchen, wondering what her dream could mean. Everything was in riddles right now, and he only hoped that when the time came he would remember all the things his Ne-ma and June told him.
Jansen tiptoed back into their bedroom and found that Star was on her side now, backed up against Banks. He couldn’t help but smile at the look of peace on both of their faces. His heart hurt thinking about the threat that was against them, and the possibility of losing either of them. The concept was unthinkable. He could feel the magic brewing up in him as he thought of how to use it to protect the ones he loved.
“Where have you been?” Banks asked, concerned.
“Downstairs, talking to Jonas and June. She wants us to bring Star back to see her. She said something to me that I don’t understand.”
“What did she say?” Banks asked.
“She said that her mate would be at the lodge tomorrow just in case he’s needed, but she had the feeling that he won’t be able to save someone. She also said that last night her son came to her in a dream and said to tell me that when we think all else has failed, someone will come, but we have to allow him to do something that doesn’t seem possible.” Jansen spoke quietly, trying not to wake his mate up.