Tania sighed. “This hasn’t changed anything. I still have a job to do for the Council, and I’m not gonna walk away from it.”
Latan glanced at Ethan. “Nobody’s asking you to walk away, but things have definitely changed.”
“What’s changed?” She frowned.
Ethan took her chin between his fingers and turned her to face him. “Now, you don’t have to do the job alone, and you don’t have to hide what you’re doing from us.”
“But I can’t—”
“Yes, you can, and you will, let us help,” Latan argued.
“Tomorrow, we’ll go explain everything to Remus and come up with a plan that works for everyone.” Ethan wanted to take the fear out of her eyes but didn’t know how.
“And you think he’ll be okay with all this, helping me, and accepting our mating?”
“Oh, yeah.” Ethan grinned. “If he doesn’t, he’ll have to answer to our Alpha Femm.”
“And she’ll kick his furry butt,” Latan added, laughing. “She said it would be great to have you in the family when we told her about mating you.”
Tania looked surprised. “She really said that?”
“Absolutely,” Ethan confirmed. “In fact, she said this pack could use some shaking up, and a ménage mating between two wolves and a cat just might do the trick.”
“Oh, my God.” Tania laughed. “How did they react when you told them I shift into a cat?”
“Remus was shocked, and a little annoyed he didn’t already know about it.” Ethan smirked. “But we didn’t tell Maddie. She already knew.”
“How? I mean, that’s not possible.”
“She said she scented both cat and wolf on you, with the cat being stronger,” Latan explained.
“That’s weird. She shouldn’t be able to scent me at all.”
“Why’s that, baby?” Ethan asked.
“They manipulated the DNA to make sure I don’t have a scent.”
“Why the hell would they do that?” Latan asked.
“They were making government agents, soldiers, if you will. We would be able to slip in and out unnoticed if there wasn’t any type of scent trail.” She gave them a look of embarrassment. “I should probably tell you I don’t have fingerprints either.”
Sensing Tania’s discomfort, Ethan leaned forward and captured her lips in a tender kiss. Pulling back, he watched as Latan kissed her lips lingeringly. “I love you, Tania, with all my heart. You’re my mate, and I’ll do everything in my power to make you happy and keep you safe.”
“I love you, too, pretty lady, more than you’ll ever know.” Latan kissed her hand.
“It’s late, and we’re all gonna have a busy day tomorrow. Early, we’re gonna go talk to Remus and fill him in on everything. But for now, can we just hold each other, enjoy the feel of being mated, and get some sleep?” Ethan looked at her pleadingly.
Tania smiled, her face glowing with happiness. “Yes, we can get some sleep, if I can cuddle up to the two of you.”
Latan grinned and pulled her against his chest. She snuggled up close and then wiggled her butt back toward Ethan.
Laughing, Ethan reached over and turned off the bedside light. Moving close to his mate, he curled around her back, her ass cradled against his groin. Ignoring his filling cock, he kissed her soft cheek and settled back against the pillows. For a long time, he listened to her breathing, slow and steady as she dropped off into sleep. He felt like they’d passed one huge hurdle. Now, all they had to do was figure out a way to keep her safe and out of the way while they took care of Kaugh. He looked down at his sleeping mate, feeling slightly remorseful. She hadn’t realized he’d failed to use a condom. If they were lucky, they’d impregnated her tonight. I hope to hell you realize you’re about to turn in your resignation to the Council, effective immediately.
* * * *
Remus walked into the kitchen and stopped short at the sight of his expectant mate cheerfully humming, apparently cooking breakfast. Maddie had never been a morning person, usually dragging around for a couple of hours before she even bothered getting dressed, let alone making breakfast for anyone. Mornings had become even worse for her since giving up coffee for the baby. He approached her cautiously. “Good morning, baby. Are you feeling okay this morning?”
Maddie whirled around from her position at the stove and smiled brightly. “Hey there, sleepyhead. I didn’t wake you, did I?”
“Uh, no, I’m always up this early.” Remus slid his arms around her waist and kissed her cheek. “What’re you doing up, little mamma-to-be.”
“What does it look like I’m doing, wolf man?” She snorted.
“Well, it looks a lot like you’re scrambling eggs,” he said, peering into the skillet. “But, since I know for a fact you haven’t been able to stomach the smell of food before noon in weeks, my eyes must be playing tricks on me.” He laughed and dodged back to escape her elbow smashing into his stomach.
“Ha, ha, very funny,” she said dryly. “Leave it to the Alpha man to make fun of his poor, pregnant mate. Men should only know the pains and discomfort of bringing the next generation into the world.”
Remus rolled his eyes and took his mate back into his arms. “I’m sorry, baby, I’m being an ass. It is kind of early for you, though. What’s going on?”
Maddie took the eggs off the stove and poured them out onto a plate she pulled from the oven. “Michael called late last night, after you went to bed. They’re gonna be back today.”
Remus frowned, a feeling of unease coming over him. “What the hell’s going on? They haven’t been gone a week. Nobody comes home from their honeymoon early.”
“You do know they went to Hawaii, don’t you?”
“Yeah, I know where they went. You’ve been bugging me relentlessly to plan a trip for us after the pup comes.”
“Don’t you ever watch the news, Remus?”
He couldn’t stop the growl from escaping. “Apparently not. What’s going on?”
Maddie turned and growled back at her mate. “Don’t growl at me, Mr. Morning Sunshine. If you’d paid attention to the weather, you would know that Hawaii is in the path of a rather fierce storm. He wanted to get Ariane away from the danger so he got in touch with one of his former clients, one who just happens to own a private jet. They’ll be back here this morning.”
Remus grinned. “Must be nice to have friends in high places, or at least friends with money.”
“I’ll say.” Maddie giggled. She placed his plate on the table and pulled his chair out. “Sit, eat, oh, great wolfy one.”
Remus sat down and then stared up at his mate. “All these irreverent names you’ve assigned to me need to stop, woman. The pack’s gonna think I don’t have any control over my own mate.”
“Well, excuse me, Mr. Alpha Wolf, Sir. Wouldn’t want anyone to question your masculinity, now, would we?”
Remus sighed at her words and then winced when she slammed a glass of orange juice down on the table in front of him. He cleared his throat. “Uh, baby, aren’t you eating?”
She looked at him like he’d just suggested she committed some kind of crime. “No, your grace, I wouldn’t be able to keep it down.”
“But don’t you—” A knock at the door interrupted Remus’s words. He glanced at Maddie. “It’s Koril. I asked him to come by this morning.”
Shrugging, Maddie went and opened the door. “Good morning, Koril. Please, come on in.” She stepped back, allowing the large man to enter.
“Good morning, Alpha Femm, Alpha Remus,” he greeted.
“Maddie, Koril, I’ve asked you to call me Maddie. There’s no reason we have to be so bloody formal all the time.” Maddie stalked over to the stove and turned the burner on under the teapot. “Do you want some tea, Koril?”
“No, thanks, Alph, um, Maddie. I would love a cup of coffee, though.”
The slam of the teapot against the stove’s burner had both men jumping. “Well, I’m sorry, but we don’t have any damn coffee.�
�� She turned without another word and stomped out of the kitchen.
Koril glanced over at Remus, his face a mask of horror. “I’m so sorry, Remus. What did I do?”
Remus chuckled and shook his head. “Pregnancy hormones.” He figured that should be enough to explain everything.
Koril’s eyes got big as saucers, staring toward the door where Maddie had disappeared. “I’m never gonna mate,” he mumbled.
“Good luck with that.” Remus laughed. “Excuse me a minute.” Remus got up and went to answer the ringing phone. “Hello?”
“Remus, we found her, or rather, she found us,” Ethan said.
“Is everything all right?”
“Everything’s perfect, bro. We’ll be there in a little while to fill you in on everything. She’s not involved with Kaugh’s plans. You don’t have to worry about that anymore. Everything else I would rather tell you in person.” Ethan’s voice lowered. “We’re keeping her, Remus. She claimed both of us last night.”
“I’m happy for you, Ethan, for both you and Latan. We can talk more when you get here.” He smiled. “And, Ethan, tell her I said welcome to the family.” He hung up the phone and glanced over at Koril. “You can be the first to congratulate me on the mating of my brothers.”
“Ethan and Latan mated?” he asked, surprise in his voice.
“Yeah, they’ve come over to the dark side,” Remus said with a smirk.
“I didn’t even know they’d been seeing anyone. Who are the females?”
“Our new schoolteacher, Tania.”
“Wait, the same schoolteacher you’ve had us checking out?” Koril looked puzzled. “Which one of them mated her?”
“They both did,” Maddie answered, walking back into the kitchen.
“Both of them? They both mated the same wolf?”
“She’s not a—” Maddie cut off Remus’s words, slapping her hand across his mouth.
“I don’t think that’s our secret to tell, do you?” she asked.
Remus pulled her hand away and thought for a moment. “Actually, I think it is, Maddie. Koril’s responsible for security and the safety of all the members of the pack. He can’t protect her if he doesn’t know the truth.”
For just a moment, Maddie looked unhappy, then nodded. “Okay, I guess that would be for the best. I just wish they could be here to tell their own news.”
“Understood, baby.” Remus turned his attention to Koril. “Tania’s only half wolf, the other half is feline. She shifts into a cat, not a wolf.”
“A cat?” Koril asked, his eyebrows rising.
“Yeah.” Remus laughed. “A cat, as in the one that tried to eat Taynor’s finger and, as I recall, tried to carve her claws into your leg.”
Maddie giggled. “Do tell. I miss all the fun.”
Koril glared at her for a moment and then turned his attention back to Remus. “The cat we thought was her pet?” he asked.
“Yep, not her pet at all. It was her, all along.”
“Look, gentlemen, as interesting as all this is, I need to be going.” Maddie walked over and leaned down to kiss Remus.
“Sure, Maddie, we can leave whenever you want.” Koril snapped to attention and walked to the back door.
“We?” Maddie asked, an angry light entering her eyes as she stared over at the pack’s security chief.
“Uh, yes,” he said, glancing around the room and fidgeting. “I’m your new bodyguard.”
“Is that so?” she drawled. “And what would make you think I need to be guarded?”
Koril glanced at Remus. “Because Alpha Remus told me to remain at your side any time you leave this house until further notice.”
“Of course he did,” she replied, gritting her teeth. Her eyes shot daggers at Remus. “Well, we certainly can’t go against the wishes of his royal Alphaness, now, can we?” She leaned down and yanked on his ear. “I’m in a hurry right now, but we’ll definitely talk about this later, oh, great fuzzy one.”
Remus groaned when he heard Koril snickering. “Maddie, it’s for your protection, and it’s not up for discussion. When you get home, I’ll tell you everything so you’ll understand.”
Maddie gave him a little smile and strode over to the door. Koril quickly opened it and then followed her out after shooting a desperate look over his shoulder to Remus. Remus could hear his mate laying down the rules she expected Koril to follow as the door closed behind the unhappy man.
* * * *
Melissa unlocked the door to Michael’s new office and stumbled wearily inside. She’d finished her business in Houston two days faster than she’d thought possible and couldn’t wait to get back to her new home. She’d thought about calling Mali, to tell him about her change of plans, and then decided to just surprise him.
Smiling at the thought of the new love in her life, Melissa dropped her bag by her desk and hurried upstairs to check out her new apartment. Reaching the large room, she stopped and looked around. Frowning, she walked over to the small bathroom and glanced inside. “What the hell’s going on? It doesn’t look like he did anything.” Deciding she needed to call her lover, Melissa headed for the stairs and heard the door downstairs open. “Damn, I forgot to lock it,” she groaned.
“Sunshine, where are you?”
Melissa’s heart skipped a beat when she heard the voice of the man she’d grown to love. Oh, my God! I’m in love with him! Hurrying, she raced down the stairs and across the room, throwing herself into his open arms.
“Sunshine, what’re you doing back so soon?”
“Mali, why haven’t you done anything on my apartment?” Melissa laughed when both of them spoke at the same time. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to interrupt you.”
“You don’t have to be sorry, just tell me everything’s okay.”
“Sure, everything’s great. I finished closing up all my business sooner than I thought I would, so here I am.” She smiled up at him.
“Why didn’t you call me? I would’ve picked you up at the airport.”
“I wanted to surprise you, so I took an airport limo back.”
Mali nuzzled his face into her neck and inhaled deeply. Melissa trembled when he licked from her collarbone up to the area behind her ear and then tugged on the lobe with his teeth. “I’ve missed you, Sunshine, missed you so much.” He drew her chin upward and captured her lips with his, licking, then gently biting, her bottom lip before plunging his tongue inside her mouth. Their tongues slid together in an erotic dance, his hands tightening around her waist, pulling her closer to his warm, hard body.
He caught her hips, urging her closer, and ground his erection against her stomach. Large hands moved to her back, skimming along her spine, then curling over her neck, tangling in her hair. She felt herself pushed up against the wall, her wrists anchored above her head with one of his hands. His lips abandoned hers, working their way down her neck as she squirmed in pleasure.
Dark eyes came up to gaze into hers right before he bent his head and sucked her nipple through the material of her blouse and bra. Melissa groaned sharply, her knees buckling, her body trying to slide to the floor. Her loud gasp echoed through the room when Mali thrust his knee between her legs, pressing against her throbbing mound, effectively stopping her descent.
“Mali.” She gasped when he transferred her wrists to one of his hands and brought the other one down and pinched her swollen nipple. Not stopping there, he guided his fingers down, snaking them into her slacks, and rubbed her clit through the silk of her panties. Her hips jerked, pressing toward the caressing fingers.
“I want you, Sunshine, want you now.” Mali growled softly and then picked her up, encouraging her to wrap her legs around his waist. Quickly, he started for the stairs, Melissa nearly lost in a haze of desire. They both froze when they heard the door open, and then laughter filled the room behind them.
Mali growled menacingly, causing Melissa to giggle, before he turned around. Appalled, she stared into the grinning face of Michael’s sister, Madd
ie, and a man she’d never seen before. Immediately, she began to struggle, trying to make Mali put her down.
His arms tightened, and a low growl came up from his chest. “Mine,” he snarled.
Melissa froze for a moment and then smacked him on the side of his head. “Put me down, Neanderthal, now,” she demanded. Mali glared at her while Maddie laughed even harder behind her. Melissa felt herself blush furiously as her large lover let her slide down his body, her breasts raking across his chest, the hardness in his jeans nudging her clit. She didn’t know when she’d ever been more embarrassed.
“Hey, Maddie,” she said, refusing to meet anyone’s eyes. “What are you doing here?” Melissa pushed Mali’s hands away and walked over toward the door.
“I’m here to meet Michael. This is our friend, Koril.”
“Nice to meet you,” Koril mumbled. “Hey, Mali, how’s it going?”
Melissa looked back at Mali in time to see him nod and then turned her attention back to her best friend’s sister. “Maddie, he’s not due back for another week, at least.”
“Oh, you’re so wrong, my good friend and faithful companion of my brother. They’re coming back today in order to avoid a nasty storm that’s about to hit Hawaii.” She gave Melissa a wicked grin. “Good thing we interrupted you. They’re due in any minute, and they might’ve gotten an eyeful.”
Mali growled, low, startling Melissa. She turned, gave him a small growl of her own, and then narrowed her eyes when he laughed.
“Did everything go all right with the sale of your condo?” Maddie asked.
Melissa turned back around, determined to ignore the way her heart beat faster for the man behind her, and smiled at Maddie. “It couldn’t have been better. The buyers wanted a quick closing and even offered to buy the excess furniture I didn’t wanna bring with me. I made a killing.”
“That’s great, honey! You should get Michael to design you a house and have it built on the mountain. We could be neighbors.” Maddie smiled.
Melissa felt like screaming when she heard a low growl behind her again. She couldn’t figure out what was making him act so weird. “No, I think I’ll just stick with my apartment for now. I’m not ready to be a homeowner just yet. I need to spend a little time here, make sure I’m happy, and that I’m gonna stay.” She jumped when Mali’s arms came around her, pulling her tightly back against his body.
Martine, Missy - Changing Their Wolfen Heritage [A Wolfen Heritage 3] (Siren Publishing Ménage Amour) Page 18