by BA Tortuga
“Come on, love. You can do this. You’ll like Junie. I bet you’ve never had a best girl buddy.”
She had. She’d had April. Her sister had been the one to come and sit with her, talk to her, play with her. Tell her about makeup and dancing and how high heels hurt. She’d known that sweet April had loved Russet, about the nights they’d slipped away to make love, to mate. April had been her best friend, her laughter, her hope, because April knew what was outside and April didn’t care that Riana couldn’t change.
Riana threw her head up, howled with her whole soul, calling for help, for the moon, mourning and scared and so lonely. April. Sister. Come back.
Wend danced for her, trying to help, whining low, but it was Canyon who caught her, curling a hand in her ruff. The touch calmed her, eased the huge ache in the center of her chest.
“It will be okay, love. You have to trust me.” Canyon lifted her, held her like she was a pup, and she surprised herself by not biting. He cradled her for a moment, not moving, just standing. Then he moved, taking her toward the truck.
She cried softly, not wanting to go. She would be quiet, still, so good. Please.
Wend barked and danced, the sounds getting more and more hysterical.
“Shh. Hush. Both of you.” There was more than a hint of command in it, but it wasn’t mean. Canyon went to the truck and sat in the seat with her in his lap.
The scents here were more of the same—wood and spice. Canyon. Wend climbed up next to Canyon and started sniffing around, nosing. The sound was familiar, too, and she began to relax.
She still didn’t like trucks, but she liked Wend and even Canyon. She really did.
Canyon hummed, hand stroking her, calming her so that when the truck began to growl, she just tensed instead of fighting to get out. He soothed her before easing her over into the seat next to Wend. The truck started to move, and her balance teetered, but Wend helped her settle.
Easy. He hummed.
I want to go home. She didn’t but she didn’t know what else to want.
Liar. Wend was blinking at her, nose next to hers.
Canyon laughed. “We are. You’ll see.”
They jostled along, her side rubbing against Wend’s. He was warm, and she was sleepy, and Canyon was singing.
When the truck stopped, her eyes popped open. Wend?
Shh. We’re safe.
Safe?
Canyon was on a phone, talking, frowning as he paced along the edge of the trees.
For now, anyway. Wend started grooming her. The touch was hypnotizing, melting her, tingling her skin. Now that they were allowed to touch, Wend couldn’t stay away. She didn’t mind at all.
She vocalized softly, then nuzzled into Wend’s belly, filling her lungs with his scent. It was so good to be near him. Canyon’s scent was there, too, and she had to admit, it didn’t bother her.
Canyon’s voice rose, then the truck shuddered, his hand slamming on it, and she stood, barking in warning. He looked at her through the windshield, his face set in hard lines, but he wasn’t mad at her. She knew it like she knew the sound of Wend’s little yip.
Canyon?
Wend’s paws landed on the dashboard. Mate?
We can’t go home. Canyon was so angry. Frustrated. Worried for his pack.
Wend. Wend. She head butted him. We need to go. We need to go away.
She could hear the witch muttering to her in her head. “Trouble. You two are trouble, especially you, missy. You’ll bring war, death, wherever you go.”
Wend stared at her, and she pushed again. We have to. I have to.
She didn’t want more Pack to hate her.
Canyon pushed the phone into the pocket of his man-pants and came to sit in the truck again. He put his hands on the steering wheel, his jaw hard. “Don’t you run away from me. Don’t you do it.”
Her eyes went wide. He’d heard them. Even though she’d been talking to Wend. We’re bad. Trouble.
No, you aren’t. That echoed in her head, Canyon’s mouth not moving.
Wend barked, and the sound was so happy. Mate. Mate. Stay.
We’ll be safe. Good. Canyon reached out, touching her fur.
She couldn’t pull away, not with him touching her. He made her ache, made her want to give him her belly, so she pushed closer, nuzzling in.
Canyon praised her, stroking her ears, her neck. “Sweet girl.”
Wend nuzzled the back of her ruff, leaned in to Canyon, too, all of them touching, together. Every time that happened a jolt of awareness went through her, her body quickening.
She shuddered, something inside her moving, sliding about, trying to get out, and it worried her. Scared her.
It’s okay, love. Wend nuzzled her, licked her muzzle.
She yelped, then suddenly Wend changed and that horrible sensation rocked her again.
“Come on, love.” Canyon smiled at her. “You can do it. Let it happen.”
She barked, wiggling, needing out. Needing to run. To…to…
Suddenly the world was different—cold, bright, the smells wrong.
“There she is!” Canyon smiled, stroking her cheek. His hand seemed odd against her flesh.
She whined softly, then something warm pushed against her back. Wend.
Oh.
His skin was against her, and he felt so warm and wonderful. Not furry.
She met Canyon’s eyes. Help me.
Canyon took her by the shoulders, staring right into her eyes. “I got you, lady. You’re safe. Breathe with us.”
Her lips parted, a soft sound leaving her, then she gasped in a breath. Then another.
“Riana.” Wend’s voice brushed her nerves, her soul. He was talking to her, touching her, and she wanted to let him know how it pleased her. She did.
She opened her mouth again, her lips and tongue trying to shape his name.
Canyon nodded, fingers soft on her throat. “Come on, lady. You can do it.”
“Wend.” She felt Wend’s joy, battering at her. It was fitting that it was his name. It was right. She said it again, stronger. “Wend.”
“Yes. Riana. You did it.”
She hadn’t meant to. She hadn’t meant to at all. Her body felt like it wasn’t hers, but it was good to have Wend there against her, to have Canyon touching her.
She leaned in, rested her cheek on Canyon’s shoulder, her hair curtaining her face. How very strange. Canyon still smelled like pine and leather and musk, though not as strong like this, so she pushed at his clothes, searching for skin.
Canyon muttered to her, his voice comforting, and Wend wrapped around her, vocalizing. She could stay, right here. The truck never had to move again. This was a good place.
Shaking his head Canyon stroked her shoulder. “We have to keep moving.”
“Where? Does your Alpha not want us?” Wend was worried; she could smell it.
“No. I mean, he doesn’t want us to come yet. Junie had a vision. That bitch, Alicia, she’s with your Alpha, looking to make trouble.” Canyon sighed, the sound so expressive. So many more noises the human throat could make.
Nobody wanted her. She met Canyon’s eyes, fully intending to tell him she was leaving, when his mouth landed on hers.
Oh.
Oh, that was what April had meant by kissing. Riana had always thought it sounded disgusting. It wasn’t. Not a bit.
His mouth was so warm, the way he tasted, new and intriguing, making her press closer. He put his hand behind her head, supporting her so she didn’t have to lean. She just had to let him kiss her, long and slow.
An ache—odd and unfamiliar—began to build in her belly. It didn’t hurt, really, it was just a strange heaviness, an empty feeling.
Wend pressed against her back, humming, tongue sliding on her skin, his heat adding to the sensations Canyon was giving her. They made her head spin, made her so-new human body sing. Her legs moved restlessly, and one of Canyon’s hands wrapped around her thigh, drawing her closer as he moved the truck seat
back. He pulled her into his lap, his lips sliding along her neck.
Oh. Their bellies rubbed together, Canyon’s cock warm and solid between them. He was so big, but not scary, not really.
Wend moaned, scooted closer, licking her jaw, her shoulder. Hers. He was hers, and she loved him so.
Mine. Canyon sounded relieved, maybe stunned, and his eyes were happy. He kissed her mouth, her cheek, licked at her chin, loving all over her.
Her chin lifted and his mouth found her throat. She swallowed hard, a keening sound leaving her as the urge to spread her thighs flooded her. She moved, shifted, and Canyon helped her spread.
Please. She ached for him, for touch.
Wend laughed, the sound joyous, and rubbed her arm, her back, bending to kiss her shoulder. Canyon touched her more intimately, his hand covering her breast.
Her lips opened, her body pushing toward the heat there. She could feel them, how much they wanted her. She could smell, them, too, hot and male. Canyon was deeper, like trees and earth. Wend was like sky.
Wend’s hands were on her belly, sliding on her skin as Canyon’s thumb drew a circle around her nipple, making it go tight. She gasped, her body so alive, her skin buzzing with little shocks.
Need. My mates. Canyon’s voice was a snarl in her head. It amazed her, how clear he was, how strong. His physical strength was also so good, making her feel safe.
“Yours. We ache.” Wend whimpered against her shoulder. “I can smell you, Riana.”
She flushed hot, her face and chest tingling with it. Canyon bent, nose against her skin. “Smells good.”
Wend nodded. “Sweet. Sweet, lady.” His cock was hot, hard against her hip.
“She is. You’re both…” Canyon groaned, and she smiled, her fingers dancing over his skin. She could make him moan, could make him lose words.
“There’s no room. Little cage.” Wend’s growl tickled her jaw as he spoke, made her shiver.
“Huh?” Canyon was moving under her, his body rocking up and down, up and down.
“This cage, little.” Wend tangled his fingers in her hair, eased her head back, bared her throat for Canyon.
“Oh. Yeah, but the ground is hard.” Canyon chuckled against her skin, making her shiver.
Wend’s lips brushed her neck, too, the touch feather-light, lighter than Canyon’s low growl. She shook, eyes wide as they both waited, not even breathing as they watched to see what Canyon did.
Canyon took Wend’s mouth in a kiss that was so strong, Riana imagined she could feel it bruising her lips. The heat of their bodies pressed against hers made her a little dizzy, like she’d been spinning around chasing her tail.
She moved, sliding against them, between them, the pleasure beginning to curl in her belly, like hot smoke. Wend stroked her spine, Canyon licking a path to her breasts. It was a burning sensation on her chest. His mouth made her moan, and she arched, the motion pushing her hard nipple between Canyon’s lips.
He sucked on it immediately, his tongue slipping back and forth across her skin.
Riana yelped, a rush of pleasure like she’d never imagined hitting her. Oh. Oh, please.
Yes. Canyon echoed in her head, his hands like sparks, setting off little fires.
Wend pushed up behind her, rocking, his cock leaving wet, hot kisses on her flesh. They were like nothing else, ever, and her mind threatened to just short out.
It’s good. We’re good, Riana. Canyon’s voice was everywhere, deep within, throbbing inside her. She stroked his head, fingers tangling in his thick hair, keeping that mouth close.
More.
He tasted her, licking her skin, scenting her with his cheek.
Wend whined softly, hips moving faster. “I need.”
She reached back, fingers sliding on his thigh. He was hot to the touch, and her fingertips tingled with his energy. Just being able to put her hand on him was an unheard-of pleasure.
She flattened her palm on Wend’s skin, spine arching, mind spinning as the ache in the pit of her belly grew. Help.
“It’s all right, love. I promise.” Canyon’s hand slid down to where they pushed together, his fingers finding a spot between her legs that made her cry out.
She stilled, nails digging into Wend’s thigh. Again. Again.
“Again,” Wend agreed, kissing the back of her neck, lips soft and hot.
Canyon’s chuckle was deep, almost wicked, and he touched her again, his fingers plucking at her. The tiny sting of it made her try to crawl up his chest.
“Easy. Easy, love.”
“I can’t.” She bit the words out, feeling like she was shaking apart.
Wend’s hands pulled her back down, and Canyon worked her mercilessly, his fingers making her pant, making her scream. They were going to kill her with pleasure. The pressure inside her built, and she arched, the feelings so big that she was frightened.
Canyon’s other big hand flattened on her belly, anchoring her, and her body seemed to know what to do then. She pushed hard against Canyon’s hands, letting Wend help her move. The tension in her belly coiled tight, then tighter.
Canyon leaned forward, teeth on her throat, marking her, letting that ball of need spring free, one wave of need after another soaring through her. She shook, clinging to his wide shoulders, letting Wend support her from behind when she would have fallen.
Heat splashed on her back, Wend jerking, crazed behind her.
Canyon arched, his head falling back, the most amazing, wild noise coming from him. Then he was shaking, his seed on her belly, his skin on fire beneath her hands.
Mate.
The word rocked between them.
Mate.
Mate.
MATEMATEMATEMATEMATEMATEMATEMATE
Riana gasped, the truck vibrating around them, the windows seeming to breathe, in and out.
“Shit.” Canyon’s head came up, and he stared beyond her at the glass behind Wend. “Whoa.”
“Easy. Riana.” Wend was whining, making soft little sounds behind her. Please.
“Shh.” Canyon smiled at her, one hand coming up to cup her cheek. “Right here, love.”
The smile eased her, and she cuddled into the touch. She wasn’t in trouble. Canyon wasn’t angry.
“That’s it. Sorry, love. I was surprised.” He kissed her cheek, then leaned back to let Wend kiss him, too. So pretty.
It was okay.
Wend sighed, the sound happy, relaxed. “That was big.”
She nodded, took a full breath for what seemed like the first time ever. Huge. She grinned, wiggled happily. Can we do it again?
Chapter Seven
“Hello?”
“Hey, Mesa.” Canyon felt pathetically grateful to hear his brother’s voice. After the explosion of their orgasm, he’d been fucking frantic to get the truck going, knowing anyone with a psychic bone would be on them like white on rice. The truck had taken some tinkering, the electrical going in and out to begin with, and he’d wasted valuable time.
“Where the fuck are you, Canyon?” Canyon smiled at Mesa's words. His twin was the wolf voted least likely to listen to portents and dreams. Mesa wanted him home.
“We’re on the road. This is a mess, man.”
“What happened? Kody’s all dizzy, Junie’s wandering around like she’s had her bell rung, and Granny’s speaking in tongues.”
“Uh—” His cheeks heated, which was ridiculous, because nobody was there to see it. “There was a thing.”
“A thing.” Mesa’s voice had a little, growing growl.
“Yeah. It was kind of unexpected.” Hell, it had been full-on face-slapping.
“Are they…Are they real, Canyon? The twins?”
“Yeah. Super real.” The two of them blew him away. “Not twins. Not sibs at all, in fact.”
“Okay, well then, we have to keep them safe until we figure out what the fuck to do with them.”
Well, no shit.
“That’s what I’m trying to do, bro. I need to move, though.
Thanks to our thing, people will be coming.”
“Yeah. Shit. Come toward us, lead them here and we’ll fight them, altogether.”
No. No, Juniper had been very sure. So sure. She’d told him to take them up into the mountains.
“Sure,” he lied, glancing at the sleeping pair next to him. He knew Mesa wouldn't understand, but Junie had been so sure. Canyon trusted that. “We’ll kick ass.”
There was no way he was taking them to the Clan. Not now. Not with the way they made things sing. Not with Alicia and Markus and the witch coming for them. They needed someplace to make a stand, someplace isolated where no one else would get hurt. Not that he intended any of them to get hurt.
A low growl built in his chest. In fact, he’d tear apart anyone that touched them.
Riana whimpered softly in her sleep and Wend stretched, one hand on his thigh.
“Don’t lie to me, Canyon.” Mesa always knew—either it was a pack Alpha thing or a brother thing. “Where are you going?”
“North. Up into the mountains, somewhere I can protect them.”
“You could protect them here, with your Pack.”
“Junie said no, man.” Mesa just had to understand.
“Junie’s a turd.” Mesa sighed, and Canyon heard Sammy’s soft laughter close by.
“Tell him to be good and that we miss him, love.”
“You heard my lady?” Mesa asked.
Canyon nodded, then remembered he was on the phone. “I did. Tell her and Kody I love them. You I can do without.” It was an old joke, and Mesa knew it.
“Fuck off, baby brother.” Mesa sighed. “Come home soon.”
“I will. I miss you.” He missed his sister, too, and his TV and satellite and all sorts of shit.
“Yeah. Bye.”
The line went dead, and he felt the urge to go home, to protect his family, his Clan. They would have to fight, too, and he knew it. Still, it was his job to keep the Pair from being caught again.
Riana’s eyes popped open, and her soft sigh echoed inside him. I’m sorry.
Why? He smiled at her briefly. I’ll never be sorry you came into my life.
Her cheeks pinked and she almost smiled. The Alpha will come. I think he has to, now.
He will. Markus was crazy. How he understood that so unerringly, he didn’t know, but there it was.