by Jo Penn
Smirking, Tripp shrugged loosely. “Sure, like that, but you’re better off talking to him, or getting him to talk which can be difficult when he’s upset over something. Look, Drax and Uri will probably belt me one, but mates come first. I’ll give you till tomorrow morning to get Luka back to himself. If he’s not, he needs to go to the Armstrong coven and be medicated and the pack will puppy pile him.”
“What? No frigging way is anyone—!”
“Tudor, Tripp is referring to when wolves curl up together for warmth and comfort. There is nothing sexual,” Caspar interrupted. “I will take care of my mates, but thank you for the heads up.”
“Not a problem. Oh, and you should know that wolves are insanely loyal. Never leave their mate unless there’s extreme abuse. No matter what, Luka won’t leave and he’ll give his mates everything. Don’t take that for granted. Also, the state he’s in, he ain’t wanting sex, probably doesn’t even want to be touched.”
“I need to take notes,” Tudor grumbled, scratching his head.
Probably.
Luka didn’t think he was complicated, Drax and Uri did. And Laurie said Luka was dramatic. Huh. Whatever that meant.
Caspar waved a hand and a portal opened in front of them.
* * * *
Cas gently placed his wolf on the bed and asked Tudor to remain with their mate while he fetched Vine to remove the collar.
He needed time, just a little time, to clear the rage from his mind and heart and to begin investigations. Tudor would know what to say to their mate. It was clear to see Tudor was coming into his own and would smooth out any sharp edges and keep at something until he got all the answers, whereas Cas tended to clomp in and demand results when a little more perseverance and sensitivity may be required.
“I heard there was an attack on Luka. Is he okay?” Visij rushed up as Cas left the room.
Cas immediately grabbed Visij’s arm and dragged his best friend along the hall, away from his shifter’s super sensitive hearing.
“Yes and no. Three creatures attempted to abduct my mate. This is bad enough, but more worrying is they knew Luka gives off a pheromone. I want our people to hunt down anyone these creatures may have told about my mate’s gift.” Cas pulled Vis to a stop. “I want every creature involved found. If they are Renegades, we slaughter them. If caught up in this, we wipe their minds of my mate. Find them, Visij, protect my mate.”
Visij gave a sharp nod. “You know I will. Though I’d never be able to keep up with the wolf, I like him as a brother. He loves you and Tudor, and that makes him family.”
Cas blinked. “What? No, Luka does not love me—”
Visij snorted and gave Cas a shove. “Get your head out of your ass. ’Course he does. He’s that mythical wolf, that’s who he is, and he loves you and Tudor as his mates.”
Cas watched Visij walk off. It all fell into place. Yes, Luka loved him and Tudor. Completely, deeply, soul shatteringly.
“Ah, fuck!” Rushing across the house, he threw open Vine’s bedroom door. “I need you to remove a collar.”
“Coming!”
It only took Vine a moment and though nervous, he gave Luka a hug in wolf form before doing the same with Cas and rushing out of the room. Cas should probably deal with the dozens of issues the attack on Luka had brought about but, right now, he felt the most important matter was Luka himself. And Gods, did Cas adore his wolf mate.
He lay down on the bed facing his wolf who didn’t have the energy to do more than peer at Cas through half closed eyes. With Tudor lying on the other side of Luka they spoke quietly to the wolf about everything and anything. Cas talked about the guild, his friends and family, and what he wanted not only from the move to Milson City, but now that he had his mates, his future with them.
And he told Luka how he adored him. How he’d fallen for the wolf with the first sweet kiss they shared and how Luka showed he cared, guiding Cas after the meeting with Tudor and the Armstrong coven. He vowed to never take his mate for granted and always appreciate the love Luka had for others, but he would be reining in Luka a helluva lot and there would be guards, a lot of guards.
Tudor talked also telling them of growing up with his serious but caring parents, his ambitions, and how he had finally found his home now he had found Luka and Cas. He agreed on the guards and also said he didn’t like not knowing where his mates were today and what they were doing, that he had needed them but didn’t feel he should interrupt. And that wrangling Luka might be necessary at times, but that he, too, adored their mate and was falling hard for him. At some stage Luka succumbed to tiredness but neither Tudor nor Cas moved, linking their hands across Luka and resting with their wolf.
Cas felt a joy and peace he never knew could exist. He’d certainly had known great happiness and joy before, but nothing could ever compare to what he had now with his mates. Cas would do anything to keep what he had and protect these two men.
About an hour into resting, Luka shifted in his sleep but didn’t wake. Tudor grabbed the blanket from the bottom of the bed and securely tucked it around their man. As of yet, Luka was not quite back to his usual warmer body temperature but lying with their mate was helping.
“You could have asked me,” Luka murmured a few hours later, voice husky and beautiful hazel eyes sleepy.
Cas pressed closer to his mate and rising on his elbow, brushed Luka’s lips with his own.
“I should have. Buying dinner for everyone, organizing everything you did for the move was above and beyond—”
“I wanted to. I wasn’t upset about getting thanks.”
“Yes, you were upset we did not discuss anything with you. And I told you we were going to dinner, not giving you a choice. You are not one who submits and follows my mate, I will remember that.”
“And I was being self-absorbed.” Tudor snuggled closer to Luka. “I just wanted to be with both of you without everyone else that’s always around taking your attention and desired to see more of the city, to have a normal life. About this Consort title—”
“Why are you two so caught up on that?” Luka yawned. “As if I give a shit about titles. You’ll make a good Consort, Tu, probably be covering up Caspar’s gaffs.”
“Hey, I will have you know I just explode those who really piss me off, no need for covering anything up. Tudor is right though, amore. Though I do feel he will fill the position of Consort the best, it takes patience and requires a lot of time, I know you can easily do this position also. But you are busy, I am told, and the pack requires a lot of your time with mentoring, interspecies relations, and with your gift. A fact we shall have to discuss and work out schedules as we will have to with mine and Tudor’s. I could change your title to Prince Consort, but that sounds pompous so we’ll just leave it as prince unless you prefer something different.”
Luka frowned. “Huh? You said fae don’t normally have more than one mate and your mate would be the Consort.”
“True, but we do not term our mates ‘Prince-mate’ as your local pride does, or ‘Alpha mate.’ It is simply Consort, the one who takes on royal leader duties, or Prince if a mate does not. Both garner the same respect.”
Luka just appeared confused and a little put off by that. Cas guessed his mate really didn’t want a title, as he was happy being Luka Charmers interspecies relations officer, whatever the hell that job entailed.
“So when you go cool that means you’re not feeling the love from us?” Tudor asked.
Luka shrugged. “Love. Respect. Being part of the pack…guild, whatever.”
“Right. Has it happened before?” Tudor pressed.
“Yeah, just part of the fertility wolf thing.”
“But your gift is not really a gift in the typical sense of the word, amore. You are love. The fertility is the way it is expressed through you, or realistically one way. Considering all you do for others, I see that as part of your gift also.”
“Stop, you’ll embarrass me,” Luka said teasingly and gave a tired smile, e
yes closing.
They let their mate rest, remaining close, not going even when Luka’s body temperature returned to normal. Marco came in twice, once to check on Luka, the next to say his cousin Drake was here to collect him and he’d be back later. Cas knew Vis would have checked so didn’t comment. Laurie hovered, and Cas waved the wizard in and was amused when Tudor glared at the man for touching Luka.
Drax entered without knocking followed by Ran. Drax growled he should have been told while Ran used his calming gift and petted Luka without Tudor or Cas feeling any need to growl or assert territory. The little wolf was just too gorgeous and calm, and very lacking in aggression.
Once they left, Cas put a magical lock on the door to keep anyone else out and slept the rest of the night with his mates knowing everything would be taken care of. Visij, their assistants, and Vine would always let Cas know if there was a problem.
He had his mates, and they’d talked. He could rest.
* * * *
Waking without his mate made Cas damn grumpy. When he went to sleep Luka had been tucked up tight between Tudor and himself but when he woke, only Tudor was in bed with him, the space between them empty and cool to the touch. After last night, Cas wanted Luka close to keep their connection strong, and because he loved and liked being with his mate.
He was also concerned about the near abduction and suspected that the five creatures last night who were involved may only be the beginning of a bigger group that were aware of his mate’s gift. Cas hoped he was mistaken, but doubted he was. All he could do was eliminate the threat to his mate, as he’d been involved in doing for Tudor. He could also hope the group who knew of Luka’s gift was small and easy to cull or mind wipe. Either way they would be dealt with. Cas would do what was necessary to protect his mates.
Downstairs, he followed his own thread to his mate and found Luka curled up in wolf form in the conservatory at the back of the house just off the kitchen. Luka was basking in the morning sun, his mix of light brown, darker brown and blond fur shining in the sunlight and one leg twitched as though he were dreaming.
The Avenger sat across from Luka and inclined his head to Cas. The Avenger was a creature born, not made. Said to be the most powerful creature in existence and with very distinct views, he was someone to respect and be cautious of. From what Cas had researched, Vicus Aston was extremely loyal and had taken the Milson Valley residents into his care. He made them family.
“Your wolf is recovering. He will bounce back with attention and affection. Drax, Uri, and Tripp will need to show him he is pack.”
“What do you mean?” Cas, unable to resist, slid his hand through Luka’s fur finding it soft and silken.
“They are the Alphas of the pack, and it is wolf nature to know your place among the pack, to be accepted and cared for.”
Yes, that did make sense, and was probably part of what Luka had not felt with Tudor and Cas yesterday, which caused the wolf to become hurt and distant.
“I have eliminated this threat to Luka.”
Cas’s brows rose. “You found everyone who may have known in the group that attempted to abduct my mate?”
“Yes. It is done.”
“Thank you, Vicus. I will inform Visij, as he was looking into who else may have known of Luka’s gift.”
“Yes, I informed him.” Vicus’s gorgeous features frowned slightly. “He appeared…annoyed.”
Cas nodded, smiling. “Visij likes to deal with all matters himself. But I gratefully thank you for taking away the threat to my precious mate.”
“It is a dilemma.” Vicus rose and lifted the hood of his coat, placing it over his long white blond hair. “To place a protection spell upon Luka interferes with his fertility wolf gift, as we have found any potions do also. Perhaps fae magic will assist. In the meantime, guards are outside waiting to protect Luka once more.”
“I will look into what fae magic may do.” Cas had some excellent protection magic and all could be adjusted.
The Avenger was correct though, it was dilemma if it interfered with Luka’s gift.
Striding to the door, Vicus paused just inside. “Be warned the creatures in the valley gossip more than a murder of vultures. Expect a dozen creatures to drop by to check on Luka. Also know everyone loyal to pack, pride, coven, and the Alliance will keep his secret, though only a few know what he truly is.”
Cas thanked the Avenger, and thanked the Gods only a few in the valley knew, so there was less chance of gossip spreading. He sat beside his wolf and spent time quietly stroking his mate’s back and head, and the little spot behind his left ear that made Luka’s leg thump. He smiled when Tudor joined them half an hour later still dressed only in sleep pants and a T-shirt with his cinnamon hair standing up in places.
Cas didn’t think his mate could look any more beautiful. Neither mate, even in wolf form.
Luka’s nose sniffed and big liquid hazel eyes stared up at Cas. The wolf gave a little whine.
“I think he wants the bacon and eggs someone is cooking.” Tudor ran his fingers along Luka’s spine, their wolf arching into the touch.
“Then you need to shift, amore.”
Luka let out a little sad whine and turned his face away. Cas chuckled at his wolf’s antics. With some teasing from Cas and Tudor, their mate shifted back to human. Before Cas could cover Luka with clothes, Tudor used his magic and stuck Luka to the long padded window seat.
“Hey! No fair using your magic!” Luka exclaimed at finding himself unable to move.
“Can you put one of those shields up around the room so no one can see inside or come in?” Tudor rose up on his knees and moved between Luka’s slightly spread legs.
“We could take this to our bedroom, if Luka is in agreement?” Cas let his hands wander over Luka’s face, his neck, arms, and chest.
Tudor’s hands were moving upward from their mate’s feet, long, sinewy, muscular legs touched lightly, front and back. Cas smelled all their desires mingling in the air and was very pleased to see Luka panting, his body becoming hot and flushed and his cock long and engorged, the head weeping.
“No, here.” Luka panted, struggling to move his hands from where they were glued to the cushions of the bench seat. “Now.”
“Here’s perfect.” Tudor leaned down and licked the top of Luka’s red cock. “You taste sweet, honey. I want to merge with you.”
Cas quickly covered the conservatory with a shield of sorts that kept everyone else out and ensured no one could see inside.
“Huh?” Luka panted. “Oh, that thing wizards do to bond.”
“Yes. I want us all to merge and bond.”
Yes, Cas could see Tudor’s real nature was coming forward. He would always be cautious and take his time, but there was great strength in the wizard, who knew what he wanted and worked toward it, and it was very obvious he loved and was very possessive of their wolf mate.
And Cas knew Tudor loved him also, just as deeply. He saw the respect Tudor had for him, the trust, and that he relied on Cas to keep his word and keep them protected. Which is exactly what he would do, as well as love on them. He would also enjoy lovemaking and having fun.
Leaning over their wolf, Cas kissed Tudor with great passion, loving the strength in his wizard, his very nature. As he did Luka.
“Yeah, that’s hot.” Luka panted.
“Yes, I will bond with both of you. In fact, I am the one who has been patiently waiting.”
Tudor flushed, smirking. “Yeah, and you had such a long wait. All of three days.”
“It has felt like a lifetime, my wizard.” Cas leaned down and nuzzled Luka’s neck. “Say yes, amore.”
“Oh, geez, can’t we just fuck?” Luka whined, going cross eyed when Tudor licked the top of his cock again. “F-fucking good.”
“Yes, it is. Mating and bonding, your wolf needs this also. Yes, Luka,” Cas growled firmly.
“Fine, okay, yeah, fuck and mate me.” Luka’s eyes were wolf, his body so tense it was like a coil
ed spring.
“First, I claim you. Tudor, take our Luka’s rod into your mouth.”
“Happy to.”
Moving around, Cas smiled as Luka’s eyes rolled back and he groaned long and low. Tudor was making deep slurping sounds, his hands touching Luka’s balls and rubbing his hole. Cas thought of the lube in his room and used magic to locate it and bring it here, the bottle dropping beside Tudor who grinned around Luka’s cock and snatched the container up.
Looking directly into Luka’s rich hazel eyes, Cas hovered his lips just above Luka’s. “We are mates. Forever joined. Forever three.”
The words spoken in truth and magic sealed them together, reaching out between all three and spread deep inside, penetrating souls, minds, and hearts touching everywhere inside of them and joining forever. They would forever be a part of one another, feel what the other felt, know what the other thought and needed. With their eyes locked together, the energy passed between them like a tidal wave sweeping through and taking out everything in its path, any barriers, doubts, settling deep inside.
And as Luka came, body strung tight, Cas and Tudor felt their bodies filled with the same sensations and demands and came also, with Tudor swallowing Luka’s seed.
When the joining finished and settled inside them, Cas and Luka flopped down beside their mate, all heavy breathing and tingling bodies. But it was more than that. Cas could feel the stirrings inside and smiled, feeling his mates through their bond.
“Wow,” Tudor murmured a few minutes later. “That was intense. You bonded both of us?”
“I did. Fae term this ‘joining.’ We will feel each other’s emotions and needs but can quieten this to background noise. The joining—”
“Explain later.” Tudor had two fingers deep inside their wolf and drizzled more lube over the mate’s cock. “I like cherry flavored lube.”
That said, he began licking the lube off Luka’s hard cock causing moans and cries of pleasure from their wolf.
Yes, Cas agreed, explanations could wait until later. Much later.
Snatching the lube from Tudor, Cas moved off the bench seat and behind his mates. He did enjoy watching, very much so, but he enjoyed doing even more. Placing a hand on Tudor’s left leg, he had his mate move his legs wider apart, smiling at the sight his mates made with one flat on his back riding three fingers now and able to move, as Tudor had removed his hold magic. Luka was exciting and amazing in his passion, the pheromones he gave off bringing them all to a height of passion that wiped out any thoughts but each other and their desires and needs.