“Hula, you should mate with Hakan. I’ve seen the way he looks at you when he thinks no one is looking.”
Hula sobbed. “I’m not sure I want another mate. Ours have only been gone a few weeks.”
“It doesn’t matter,” said Athaw. “The pride will be stronger with all of us mated instead of single lions.”
Hula sniffed. “I guess you’re right. I’ll do whatever is necessary for the pride.”
“Good.”
“What about you, Athaw?” asked Hula.
“Since Preyta didn’t survive, I’ll mate with the alpha brothers and be mother to Keme and Taima.”
“You’re forgetting Mer,” said Misko. “Knoton told us they sent for Mer to be their mate and the cubs have clearly bonded with him.”
Athaw laughed. “He’s not their mate. I looked, and there’s no mate bite.”
Mer took a step closer to the room. What the hell is a mate bite?
“Maybe not, but the intention was there when they brought him here all the way from Earth. I can’t believe Delsin is the type of alpha that would just throw him away now that they have females available to them.”
Athaw snorted. “It doesn’t matter. It’s the alpha’s responsibility to replenish their pride with cubs, and they can’t do that with Mer for a mate.”
Hula laughed. “You’re dreaming. Delsin will never send Mer away. I’ve seen the way he looks at him. Both he and Etu look like they could eat the man up, and I don’t mean for dinner.”
Mer frowned, and urged Taima down the hall toward the living room. He didn’t want to get caught outside their room. When he walked into the living room, Knoton was busy bringing in more chairs. “Hey, Knoton, can I ask you a question?”
“Of course you can.”
Mer placed Keme on the couch and barricaded her in the corner with pillows. “What’s a mating bite?”
Knoton gave a bark of laughter, and then scratched his head. “What brought that on?”
“I heard the women talking, and I’d not heard the term before.”
Knoton shrugged. “When two lions want to mate, they have sex and bite each other in the shoulder to exchange a little blood. This seals the spiritual bond, plus leaves the scent of one mate on the other, basically claiming them in a way the whole community can recognize. It’s a pretty sacred thing.”
Mer winced, blinking back the moisture in his eyes. Neither Etu or Delsin had bitten him during sex. Athaw’s right. I’m not really their mate. And with the women here, I never will be. “Um, I’m not feeling well. Can you watch the babies for Delsin?”
Knoton frowned, glancing down at Mer. “I’m happy to watch the cubs. Do you want me to get Delsin or Etu for you?”
“No, that’s okay. I’m just gonna lay down until dinner.” Mer turned and walked back down the hall to his room, shutting the door behind him. He sank down on the bed and wiped the dampness from his eyes. Maybe I should just cut my losses and go back to Earth before they send me back. He jumped when someone tapped on the door.
Etu stuck his head inside the room and smiled. “Knoton said he thought you were upset about something. What’s wrong?”
Taking a shaky breath, Mer stood and walked to the door. “Will the women become mates to the men here now?”
Etu frowned and stepped into the room, closing the door. He shrugged. “Probably, but nobody would force them to do anything they didn’t want to do. They’ll probably want to mate because it’s more protection for their cubs.” He smiled. “At least you won’t have to keep looking after all those little furry butts.” He walked over and put his arms around Mer, leaning close to whisper into his ear. “That will give you more time for the things you like.” Bending, he kissed him, sucking first his top lip and then his bottom, all the while urging him back toward the bed.
Mer felt the mattress touch the back of his legs and groaned. Oh, God. Maybe he’s finally going to give me a mating bite.
* * * *
Etu put his finger in Mer’s belt loop and pulled their hips together. “You’re too tense, little man.” He gently turned Mer around, his hands coming up to massage his shoulders. After a few minutes he leaned in and began to nuzzle the back of Mer’s neck. “You smell so good,” he whispered and then rubbed their cheeks together.
“I want you.” Mer wiggled in his arms, turning around to face him.
Etu cupped the back of Mer’s head, pressing their mouths together and teasing the seam with his tongue. He licked at his lips, slipping his tongue inside when they opened, quickly becoming lost in the taste of his mate. Groaning, his tongue and lips traveled over Mer’s chin, licking and sucking. Etu felt the sting of his mate’s teeth on his chest and gasped, knowing there’d be a purpling mark there. It would disappear by morning, but for one happy moment he felt as if his mate had marked him.
Etu ran his hands up Mer’s sides and around his back. His hands slid beneath the loose shirt to feel the supple movement of his muscles and knead the tight, smooth skin. Etu’s fingers grabbed the hem and pulled the shirt over Mer’s head to reveal a finely sculpted torso of warm flesh with a light dusting of hair.
Leaning forward, Mer pressed their bodies together, licking just under Etu’s ear. Burrowing closer, he rubbed his face against Etu’s chest, rocking their lower bodies in a rhythmic wave.
Etu stroked Mer’s smooth stomach and then placed his hands on his chest and drew them slowly down his body. He turned it into a sensual massage, rubbing, kneading the soft, warm skin. Bending, he paused to lick the dusky nipples that had already hardened into tight little points. He inhaled Mer’s sweet scent and gave his ass a little squeeze. A surge of hunger made his mouth water, his teeth lengthening in preparation of marking his mate. Suddenly they were grinding against each other, both making sounds of need.
“Need you, Etu. Please.” Mer’s hands massaged Etu’s ass, his fingers working the seam of his pants into his crack.
Etu growled, capturing Mer’s hands in one of his own and holding them still behind his back. Guiding his other hand down his body, he began to undo Mer’s pants. The room was filled with the rasp of the zipper sliding down. Turning, he pushed Mer down onto the mattress. “Lift your ass.” When Mer lifted his butt, he worked his jeans down his legs and left them in a pile on the floor. In a few short moments he’d stripped himself and crawled over Mer’s body, letting their cocks slide together as he explored his neck. Growling softly, he slid his hand down to wrap their cocks together, stroking them with a firm movement. The feel of his mate’s cock against his was driving him mad.
Not wanting to lose control, Etu pulled back and flipped Mer onto his stomach. He licked his shoulder and squeezed his ass cheek. “This ass was made for my cock.”
“Yes, it’s yours. Please, Etu. I need you now.”
“Patience, little man.” He licked the small of his back, slowly moving lower to nibble at the smooth globes. “Your skin is like silk.”
Mer groaned. “Stop teasing me.”
“Patience.” He nudged Mer’s legs wide and licked the inside of his thigh all the way to his foot. When the small man’s hips arched, he slipped his fingers into the crease of his ass and let his fingertips play over the taut entrance. Using his thumbs to part the firm cheeks in his hands, he lowered his head and licked down his crease, swirling his tongue around the puckered skin. Mer moaned and jerked his hips when his tongue connected with the outer edges of his sensitive hole.
Etu licked his finger then gently pressed into Mer’s hole, a little at a time, until he was knuckle deep. His mate wiggled, pushing his little ass toward the invading hand. “I feel like I’m in heat around you, Mer.”
“But that’s a good thing, right?” Mer panted.
“Very good.” Etu pulled his finger out and grabbed his own cock. He coated his fingers in his natural lubrication and then placed two of them at the tight hole, pushing in. He shivered, groaning harshly when Mer’s ass muscles clenched tight.
“More, please.”
/> “You’ve got such a tight little hole. So damn good.” Etu sent a third finger forward to stretch the opening, sliding them in and out a couple of times before twisting and turning them searching for Mer’s sweet spot. He gave the smooth gland inside an experimental stroke.
“Holy shit! Do it again.”
Chuckling, he obeyed, caressing the spot over and over as he stretched the tight ring.
“Please, Etu. I need to feel you moving inside me.”
“Relax, love. I’ll give you what you want.” He cupped the cheeks of Mer’s ass and hoisted him up. “Get your knees underneath you. I want your ass in the air.” With a whimper, Mer got to his knees, offering his beautiful ass. Etu leaned close and licked the rim of his ear. “I’m going to bury my cock as deep inside you as I can.” Mer shuddered, lowering his head to the mattress.
Etu lifted his mate’s ass and aimed his cock at the tight little entrance before him. Taking a deep breath, he thrust forward, burying himself to the hilt in one smooth motion, his shaft stretching Mer even farther than his fingers had. “Are you okay?”
“Yes!” Mer gasped. “Don’t stop.”
Etu curled his fingers into Mer’s hair and pulled out only to shove back in again. Animalistic growls came from his throat as he latched onto Mer’s neck, pushing his cock even deeper. His beast roared, pushing to be let out to claim their mate. Mine! We must mate him now. Don’t wait, do it now!
* * * *
Mer felt the burn for a second, but soon the pain was gone, the feeling turning to pleasure. He moaned, feeling the cock stretching his ass wide. By the time Etu was all the way in, they were both panting and shaking.
Etu angled Mer’s hips up and pushed back in, his balls slapping against Mer’s ass. “You like it hard and fast?”
“God, yes.” Mer pushed his hips back. “Harder, please harder.”
Etu fucked Mer fast and hard, driving into him with force, brushing his fingers across his nut sac. Nothing had ever felt so good. His hand wrapped around his cock and set a rhythm of slow, firm strokes. Mer cried out when his fingers slid over the tip.
Mer felt a throbbing in his balls as they drew up tight against his body. “I’m gonna…” Both men’s muscles tensed and tightened as they came, screaming and straining. As hot semen shot over Mer’s stomach, he stilled, letting out a guttural yell. Etu tightened his arms around Mer’s stomach, his teeth latching onto his shoulder, and howled. Warmth flooded his ass as Etu’s teeth tightened painfully.
Suddenly, Etu released his shoulder and growled. For a moment his arms tightened, and then he moved back. Mer felt his legs and arms give out as Etu slid from his body. Together they fell to the mattress, Etu pulling him close against his chest. He pressed their lips together, twining their tongues in a mating dance.
“Damn!” Etu groaned. “That was incredible.”
Exhausted, Mer closed his eyes, held tight in his lover’s arms. He started to bite me, but he just couldn’t go through with it. He doesn’t want me for a real mate.
Etu pressed a kiss on Mer’s head. He pulled away and sat on the side of the bed. “I’m sorry, love, but I’ve got to go. Delsin is calling me.”
“I didn’t hear anything.”
“He’s mind speaking to me. Family members and mates can hear each other psychically even from great distances.” He cupped his hand on Mer’s jaw. “You need to hurry and dress so you can join us in the living room. It’s going to be a hell of a celebration with our longtime enemy defeated. We’ll be able to return to our home now.”
“I’d like to know more about your home. I mean, if I’m going to live there with you.”
Etu bent and placed a brief kiss on his lips. “Delsin and I will tell you all about Linnaeus later. We’ve got to hurry now. They’re waiting on us.” He quickly pulled on his clothes and walked to the door. “Come on, mate. Get a move on. We can’t keep our alpha waiting.”
Mer stood up and reached for his jeans. “Just where do I fit in with this new home?” he mumbled.
* * * *
Delsin paced back and forth in his office. He opened his mind to speak to his brother. What the hell is taking you so long? I want us to stand together in front of the pride.
Back off, Brother, I’m enjoying our mate.
Delsin snickered. Figures you started without me. Don’t bite him yet. We need to let him get over the trauma of being held hostage and let him get to know us better before we overwhelm his mind with our presence.
Damn you, Delsin. I’ll obey, but I don’t like it. He’d be safer with the bond complete. Besides, my beast is fighting me for control. I won’t be able to hold him off much longer.
It won’t be much longer, I promise. I’m having the same trouble with my lion. He wants to finish the mating more than anything. I can’t blame him. I feel the same way. I was very unhappy to think we’d have to abandon him in order to have cubs for the pride. Finding the females freed us both, brother. We can follow our hearts now, and let our beasts have their way.
I’m happy, too, brother. We’re getting dressed and we’ll be there soon.
Delsin looked out the window and smiled. “I can’t wait until we can get our little mate alone tonight.” Sitting down, he quickly sent off a message to Zintssar letting him know his men would be home the next day. Now let’s see what we can do to get this party over with.
When he walked into the living room, Hula and Misko were sitting in the floor playing with the cubs.
“Alpha!” Hula picked up Nodin and smiled. “I can’t tell you how grateful I am that you watched over and protected my baby.”
“That goes double for me.” Misko smiled as she tickled Yuma’s belly.
“It was my honor to keep them safe, ladies.” He looked up as his mate walked into the room.
Mer walked toward the cubs, giving them a smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes. Jacy was the first to notice him. She squealed and began toddling toward him, followed closely by Taima and Nodin. “Hey, guys.” Mer dropped to the floor and crossed his legs, his smile brightening when the three cubs pounced on him. He hugged them close, letting his hand brush over each of their heads.
Misko snickered. She stood and laid Yuma in his lap. “You might as well say hello to this big boy. I think the babies are happy to see you.”
“Babies know who love them.” Delsin stepped over to the crib and picked up Keme. He walked over and laid the tiny baby in Mer’s arms and smiled. “I think she missed you the most.”
Mer blushed and cuddled the small child to his chest. “They just like me because they know I’m a sucker, and they can get away with murder when I’m watching them.” Jacy crawled up his leg and patted his cheek.
“What in the world is going on in here?” Athaw strolled into the room, an ugly scowl on her face. “The cubs need to be rebonding with their mothers.” She reached toward Mer with her arms outstretched. “Give me the baby.”
Taima morphed into his beast and growled, spitting, his hair standing on end.
“What the hell?” Delsin took a step closer, biting back a laugh.
Athaw clenched her jaw, the vein in her forehead throbbing visibly. She moved closer, pointing her finger at the small cub. “Change back right now.”
Taima growled again, reaching out with his clawed paw, swiping at her hand.
Hula laughed. “I don’t think he likes you, Athaw. He’s protecting his sister.”
Mer rubbed behind the small cub’s ears. “Come on, Taima. Change back for me.” Immediately the small ball of fur morphed into his human skin, cuddling his cheek against Mer’s hand.
“Oh my Goddess.” Misko dropped into a chair. “They’ve bonded with Mer.”
Delsin looked at the incredulous faces of the pride’s females and laughed inwardly. This will make it easier for them to accept him as the alpha’s mate. They know the cubs don’t trust just anyone. He glanced at Athaw and froze. The look on her face was pure rage. He could hear her rushing loud breaths as her chest heaved
. With a quick, decisive stride she left the room. I’m going to have to keep my eye on her. She’s trouble, just looking for a place to explode.
“Hey, everybody.” Knoton stood in the doorway. “Dinner’s ready. Hakan went to call the Arridians in.”
Delsin moved toward the door. “Let’s move to the dining room. I had Hakan put blankets and pillows on the floor for the babies to play while we eat.” He stood back and let the women move from the room. When Mer walked past him, he slipped his arm around his waist and planted a kiss on the top of his head. “I’m looking forward to spending time with you later,” he whispered into his ear. He frowned when Mer smiled and moved away, following the women into the dining room.
Everyone had taken a seat when the Arridians walked in, followed by Hakan. They took their seats and the cubs began to fret, their whimpers soon turning into full-fledged cries. Misko and Hula got up and went to the babies, cuddling them in an effort to get them quiet.
“What’s wrong with the little ones?” asked Knoton.
Mer glanced at the Arridian guards and sighed. “They might be feeling a little tense around people they don’t know.” He pushed back his chair, walked to the corner, and dropped down onto the blanket. Immediately the cubs quieted, moving close to his small frame. He wrapped his arms around the toddlers, letting them bury their faces against his skin.
“They feel safe with him.” Delsin watched for a moment and then walked over and knelt down. “Do you want to bring them to the table?”
Mer shook his head. “They’d be even more uncomfortable to put them closer to the Arridians. I’ll just sit here with them. I’m not really hungry anyway. I’ll still be able to listen in, and the kids will be quiet.”
“But I want you to—”
“I’m staying here, Delsin. Go eat your dinner, and I’ll entertain the babies.”
Delsin stood and sighed. He returned to the table to find Athaw had taken the seat Mer had vacated. For a moment he considered ordering her to move and then glanced at the Arridians. They were watching him closely and he didn’t want stories of their personal problems making their way back to Zintssar. Rubbing the bridge of his nose with two fingers, he took his seat and smiled.
Meredith's Pride [Galactic Nuptials 3] (Siren Publishing Ménage Amour ManLove) Page 9