by Frey Ortega
The brown-haired man was easily what the two of them wanted. Petite, but not completely so, with glasses but an unmistakably handsome face that he tried very hard to hide, the young man kept to himself and made sure he looked as unassuming as possible. He was glancing up and down, so it was clear he wanted someone to talk to, yet he wasn’t being imposing, simply doing his own thing without trying to attract attention.
Just the mere sight of the young man made time stop for Brian. Even as the beat continued to pound and the rhythm of the music made him want to dance, the only thing he could actually think about doing was gazing at the young man who was sipping his glass, bouncing to the music, but also looking at his watch every so often in an awkward attempt to look busy.
The awkwardness was altogether quite charming, really. At least, Brian thought so.
Brian was intrigued. Gently nudging his mate, he nodded towards the man who was leaning against the wall before looking at Ronan. “What do you think about him? Glasses and brown hair. He’s by the wall.”
“Where?” Ronan asked, just as he zeroed in on the man. “Oh.” Ronan looked the man over, and then a wide grin appeared on his face. “Oh.” He nodded. “We should definitely introduce ourselves, don’t you think?”
“I agree. He’s standing there all alone and I think he needs someone to talk to.” Brian did feel a bit sad about that. The man was so handsome, it was a shame he didn’t have much charisma. Or perhaps that was the way he wanted it?
“Well, why don’t we? We’re just wasting time standing up here instead of having fun down there.”
Brian chuckled. “Do you have the same good feeling about him as I do?”
Ronan smirked. “Maybe even more than you. I think he’s perfect. See, I told you we’d find one.”
“Your optimism continues to impress me,” Brian drawled, though he pressed a kiss against his lover’s cheek.
“Mm, sudden displays of affection only continue to egg me on. Okay. Let’s go find ensnare ourselves a mate,” Ronan replied, grinning.
“I just want to make sure you feel the way that I do. If we claim him, he’s going to be for keeps, and I don’t want to scare him off,” Brian admitted. Ronan shrugged.
“Sometimes you need to scare them a little to get them to really get out there and do something. A little adrenaline rush never hurt anybody. Besides, how do you think he’ll feel when we show up and tell him we want him?”
“I don’t know. I’ve never been approached for a threesome before, let alone a three-way relationship,” Brian replied, sipping his drink and faking innocent, to which Ronan growled.
“And don’t forget it, because when we find our third, you’re both mine and mine alone. Then again, I’m selfish and don’t like to share my lovers.”
They needed a third. It was a sad truth of life. If they’d mated another man, someone who wasn’t a Minotaur, then it would have been okay. But the two of them fell in love with each other, and for them to be able to balance out their inner dominance and their desire, they needed a third. Someone who would receive and submit, but also someone they could love and cherish together.
Brian chuckled. “I feel the same way, love. You don’t need to worry about me. I’m guessing it’ll all work out as long as he knows we’re interested. You think you’re up for dating again?”
Ronan groaned. “I hadn’t thought about that.” Then, he placed a hand over his chin in fake despair, his voice clearly in jest. “I’ve been out of the dating pool for two hundred years, ever since we got together. Do we still duel to the death to win the favor of a fair maiden?” Ronan drawled sarcastically.
“You little shit,” Brian replied, laughing. “You got the time period all wrong. Two hundred years ago things like that didn’t happen anymore. You’re old as fuck.”
“You’re one to talk, you codger,” Ronan said as they both laughed. They were still both quite young in Minotaur years, after all. Considering Elder Jennings had been alive during the time the original Minotaur myths were invented, and they were each only a few hundred years old, that surely put things in perspective for the both of them. “It seems we’re both not very prepared for the dating scene. You think we can maybe just wing it and see if he’s interested?”
Brian entwined his fingers with Ronan’s once more, taking the man’s hand up to press a kiss against the back of the man’s fingers. Ronan rolled his eyes at the romantic gesture, but then again, Brian was the romantic between the two of them. “I think we have to give it a good old try, now, don’t we? We won’t know until we talk to him.”
Ronan nodded. “Fine. But you’d better not pull any sweet shit in front of him, you might just scare him away. Maybe if we act all tough and sexy he’ll go for it.”
“That’s more your thing, though, isn’t it?”
“Don’t sell yourself short, love. You’re sexy, too, in that overprotective sort of way. I just haven’t put up with your shit in years.” Ronan grinned as they walked down, hopefully to ensnare themselves a mate.
* * * *
Truthfully, Ronan was scared. His heartbeat was fast, like a rabbit thumping hard against his chest.
Catching sight of that man on the dance floor, Ronan absolutely knew he was the one. From the awkward way he shuffled to the way he seemed to avoid eye contact while simultaneously looking like he wanted a conversation, Ronan wanted him. His eyes glimmered with something deeper than lust, and he didn’t even know the man’s name.
It was the same feeling he had when he met Brian hundreds of years ago. In short, Ronan already knew that this person was the third to complete them, no questions asked.
And he would do everything necessary to make sure the man would be theirs by night’s end.
Walking down the stairs and hastily moving past the sea of people, Ronan’s hand was entwined with Brian’s as if an anchor weighing him down, but also making sure people knew that they were together. As quickly as he could, he passed the throng of shirtless shifters and Minotaurs grinding against each other, right until he found himself face to face with the bespectacled young man leaning against the wall. Brian and Ronan surrounded him, cornering him to the wall but still leaving enough room between the two of them should the man desire to leave.
They weren’t savages, after all. It was just their instincts that made them insatiable.
The young man’s eyes widened. How cute, he looked like a deer caught in headlights. But from this close, Ronan could see all of the things that made the shifter absolutely delicious and oh-so-very right.
The young man clearly smelled of shifter, and not Vampire or Siren or any of those other races. He had wide brown eyes and messy light brown hair on his head. But he was lithe and slender, and he was bordering more on petite than average in height. Compared to Brian and Ronan’s seven-foot frames, the man was closer to an even five feet in height.
“May I help you?” the young man asked. Ronan noticed the way the shifter looked nervous. He darted his eyes both towards them, and an unmistakable glint of lust followed his gaze as he looked at both Ronan and Brian. He slowly brought his glass up to his lips to take a sip.
“Yes, we were wondering if you would be interested in satisfying our desire for a ménage a trois.” Ronan smirked, seeing the young man sputter and spit out his drink in incredulousness.
“E–excuse me?” Wide-eyed and with a voice that was suddenly squeaky, Ronan had to chuckle against a fist to stifle himself from being any ruder.
“Pardon my partner’s manners. This is Ronan and I’m Brian, and I hope you don’t find it creepy but we were staring at you from across the dance floor and thought we should introduce ourselves,” Brian suddenly said, smacking Ronan a little harshly on the back, causing him to whisper a soft “ow” in pain. “You’re very handsome.”
“I’m Hayden,” the young shifter finally introduced. The name was like a boon to Ronan’s senses. He wanted to moan it as he and Brian made love to the man, but he had to keep himself in check. Instead, h
e merely grinned, biting down on his lower lip. “And… thank you, I guess?”
“No need to thank us,” Brian said. “We just wanted to ask if you wanted some company for the evening.”
Hayden took another sip to clear his throat. He looked up at Brian, then at Ronan. The moment their gazes met was electrifying. He knew that the shifter could feel the connection, too.
“I only said that because I felt a little bit awkward. I don’t know how to take a compliment well,” Hayden admitted before sipping on his drink once more. “Let alone a compliment from two really, really hot guys.” His eyes went wide when Ronan beamed that dashing smirk on his face, and Brian had a pleasant smile on his face. “Shit, I’m sorry. I’m not very good at talking to people. I should just… shut up now.”
“No, no, I think you’re being adorable,” Brian replied. Ronan rolled his eyes.
“I don’t think anyone who’s looking for someone to be with at the end of the night wants to hear the word ‘adorable’ to describe them,” Ronan said. “Even if I agree, I’m going to up the ante and say I think you look really hot.”
Hayden’s face turned a bright shade of red. Ronan smiled even wider.
Hayden was squirming. He shifted his feet from side to side as he looked down, then up, then down at the ground before finally peering up at them both. Their height difference was profound, after all, with Brian and he standing at about the same height.
“Are you guys for real?” Hayden whispered. “Are you really hitting on me? I mean, there are so many better-looking guys out there—”
Ronan immediately cut him off. “But none of them is you. I know your animal can feel our desire.”
Hayden visibly shivered for just a moment, though it wasn’t out of disgust. He peered up at Ronan, meeting the Minotaur’s heated gaze with one of his own. Biting his lips, Hayden turned away and sipped his drink as if to mull over everything that had been said.
Brian gave the tiniest frown. “But we would never force you if you didn’t want to do it. We know that our circumstance might be a just a tad too…” Brian struggled to find the right words. Ronan rolled his eyes.
“A tad too awkward?” Ronan chimed helpfully.
“Yes! Exactly. A tad too awkward.” Brian nodded as he mimicked what Ronan said.
“It’s not that,” Hayden replied. “Well, yes, it’s actually quite awkward, but there’s also the fact that my animal is…” Hayden paused. He looked down at his drink, pensive for a moment. He looked like he was hesitating about saying something. What was it? What was with Hayden’s animal? Ronan was about to snap, telling the man to spit it out, when Hayden finally spoke once more. “It’s telling me that you’re both my mates. It’s, um, it’s a thing with rabbit shifters… We often have more than one mate. And we can sense who they are. It’s a blessing and a curse.”
Ronan’s eyes went wide in surprise. Well, that was new, but not altogether an unpleasant piece of news to receive. Brian grinned as he gently placed a hand on Hayden’s shoulder.
“Then it must be a weird coincidence that your two mates decided to approach you this fine evening, right?”
“Rabbit shifters can be considered a bit luckier than most, so I don’t find many things very surprising anymore,” Hayden admitted, his straightforward awkwardness quite charming. Ronan had to stifle a grin.
“Then if I said that I wanted to take you back to our room and claim you as ours, that wouldn’t surprise you at all? Your rabbit would be okay with that?” Ronan asked, his saucy tone clearly one in jest.
Hayden looked up at him, then at Brian. He adjusted the glasses he wore, and took a little sip.
“I… I think I’d be okay with that. And my rabbit certainly is, too.”
Ronan smirked. He extended a hand to Hayden.
“Then we should definitely do something about that, shouldn’t we?”
Chapter Three
Ronan’s heartbeat quickened as his hand wrapped around Hayden’s. On the other side of the rabbit shifter was Brian, whose fingers were entwined with Hayden’s as well.
It was strange that he oddly felt at peace, holding onto Hayden like this. It felt secure, it felt real, and although it also felt rather fast on his part—his Minotaur was pressing up against the surface, egging him to claim the rabbit, after all—Ronan also knew that it felt right. There was a certain feeling of calmness and excitement. It wasn’t just Ronan picking out a random person in the middle of the main hall. It was the feeling of meeting his mate, just as he felt the same click when he and Brian met. He learned long ago to trust his gut when it came to matters of the heart.
Hayden was both his and Brian’s to love. They’d only just met, so he knew he couldn’t say it, but he knew the rabbit shifter was meant for them. There was no doubt, nor trace of suspicion or confusion in Ronan’s mind. Hayden was his to love.
Ronan knew he had to thank the Council. Otherwise, he and Brian wouldn’t have met the right third.
Walking up a flight of stairs and navigating through Caer Tarw’s corridors, they finally stopped in front of their room. On the farthest end of the topmost floor in the Taurus wing of Caer Tarw, Ronan opened the doors to his and Brian’s chambers, but before he did so, Ronan turned to look Hayden in the eyes.
“Are you sure about this, Hayden?” Ronan said softly. Although it pained him to ask, he knew he had to. He didn’t want to do anything the rabbit shifter felt forced to, even if Ronan was a bit of a selfish prick. Ronan knew Brian would feel the same way. “We’re only giving you one last chance to say no.”
“Why should I?” Hayden suddenly asked, the same bluntness that caught both Brian and Ronan off guard reappearing and making Ronan grin. “My rabbit is telling me you’re both my mates. It’s hard for a rabbit to find one mate, let alone two. You guys felt it, too. That’s why you approached me. I don’t know if it’s the old rabbit’s foot working, or if it’s fate, or if it’s some weird case of serendipity, but for whatever reason, I like the feel of you both, and I want to take the time to get to know you.”
Ronan turned to Brian, who was smiling. Brian gently placed a hand on Hayden’s chin, drawing the rabbit’s gaze up towards his deep, stormy gray-colored eyes. “I feel the same way. I suppose Ronan only asked because he wanted to make sure.”
“I’ve never been as sure of anything in my entire life,” Hayden whispered as he gazed at Brian, swallowing. Ronan could see the little bob of Hayden’s larynx, and if he could concentrate, Ronan swore he could hear the smaller man’s heartbeat, too. “My question is if you both feel the same way. I don’t know anything about Minotaurs.”
“We don’t really have that same feeling of mates that you have, but we claim someone we love, and it’s the same thing. So we do have a little bit more freedom,” Brian replied, shrugging. Ronan leaned in close, lowering his head until his lips were mere inches from Hayden’s.
The smaller male’s eyes widened as he adjusted his glasses.
“Tonight, we’re going to claim you, our little coinín,” Ronan whispered. “And make sure you know that we’re in this for the long haul.”
Hayden shivered, and bit down on his lower lip. “Okay.”
Brian smiled. Ronan turned on his heel to walk inside his room, both Brian and Hayden following suit.
When Hayden walked into their room, his eyes went wide. “Whoa,” the smaller male whispered in awe. Ronan chuckled.
Their room was beautiful, after all. With a motif of red and gold that befit the royalty that once lived in Caer Tarw, the four-poster bed was king-sized and built to accommodate more than the three of them. A fireplace to one side of the roam roared, keeping a rustic sensibility that was totally unlike the club-like scene they were having at the main hall. Bookcases filled with volume upon volume of different works lined one side of the wall, though there was a large space in the middle for a flat-screen television—perhaps the most out-of-place object in the entire room—set in the middle, surrounded all around by books. There was a small
doorway close to the window to one side of the wall, leading to their en suite bathroom.
And despite the cool weather outside, it was always reasonably warm inside of Ronan’s and Brian’s room.
The most impressive thing, however, was that the entire wall opposite the doorway was just a large window where one could see the outside world, from the glimmering lights of the village to one side, right to the beachfront leading down from a cliffside on the other. Hayden was gawking and distracted as he walked forward until he was in the middle of the room, and that definitely seemed like the perfect time for Ronan to suddenly lean down from behind Hayden to gently press a kiss and lick on his lover’s neck, brushing his beard against the rabbit shifter’s soft and supple skin.
Hayden gasped as goosebumps appeared over his flesh. Ronan’s hands settled onto his sides just as Brian walked up right in front of Hayden and softly pressed his body close to the shifter’s, sandwiching Hayden in between both of their heated forms.
Hayden’s body was sweet, and unlike anything Ronan ever tasted before. It reminded Ronan of honey, almost, making him crave the smaller man’s touch.
The man’s skin was soft and supple, completely smooth, with long lines of sinew that was more dexterous and agile than it was burly and muscular, like both him and Brian. As Ronan’s lips suckled gently, every bone and muscle in his body wanted him to taste, to touch, to lick. Ronan felt Brian’s hands settle just above his own, gliding up and down in unison with him to feel Hayden’s body.
Then, without a single word, just as Hayden gasped and Ronan’s tongue gently drew up and down in sinuous and slow lines against Hayden’s nape, the two Minotaurs pulled up Hayden’s shirt and his jacket, removing the offending fabric hastily and baring the rabbit shifter’s skin.