by BA Tortuga
Junie smiled at him. “You’re Wend. I’m Juniper.”
He reached out, hugged her. Sisters were good. This one was very good. She loved her brothers, and she thought it was so neat that he was one of the two, but she didn’t think he was a freak.
You’re not a freak, love. Canyon’s voice was so soft, so gentle. So good to him. Canyon was a good Alpha.
I’m not an Alpha, love. I’m a second.
Wend tilted his head. No. No, that wasn’t right. Canyon felt like an Alpha.
Canyon smiled when Junie touched his shoulder. “We should eat, huh?”
“I like to eat.” He looked at Junie. “Did you know you can eat more than once a day here?”
“I did! We all have to run hard sometimes to work it off.” She sat, and Minnie handed out full plates.
Wend touched the plate. Riana should see this. Riana should come be with them.
“We’ll take her a plate, love.”
“Please.” He met Canyon’s eyes. “It’s all different.”
“I bet it is.”
Wend could feel that Canyon couldn’t really know, but he could feel for them, could want to make things better.
He grinned, then he sniffed. Meat. Sweet. Good.
Food.
Good food.
He scarfed the food down, moaning over the flavors. When he looked up, they were all watching him, but everyone was smiling, so he wasn’t doing anything bad.
“Good.” He licked his lips. “So good. Thank you.”
He was polite. Nice. A good dog.
“You’re welcome, honey. I’m so glad you’re here.” Minnie was sweet.
“I…”
The door opened and a face he barely recognized appeared, the man limping in, moving slowly.
Granite. Canyon sounded fond. Relaxed.
Ah. Canyon's friend. Still, he ducked his head, hiding in Canyon’s shadow. Don’t see me. Don’t see me. Don’t see me.
“Hey. Something smells good.” Granite smiled, but he looked tired, sounded hoarse.
“It is.” Minnie smiled, and he reached out for Riana and she was there, inside him.
Don’t see me. Don’t see me. Don’t see me.
No one ever looked toward him. No one but Canyon. Canyon, though, he hugged Wend tight, and didn’t flinch when Riana’s voice came loud.
Wend?
Riana. Stay there.
Everyone moved around, fed Granite, and no one saw him.
He’s not going to hurt you. Canyon petted him, easing him.
You can see me? He thought Canyon had to, and it was good.
Of course I can, love.
Wend smiled. They can’t.
Canyon glanced around. Frowned.
Minnie looked at Canyon. “What’s wrong, son?”
“Nothing.” Canyon had his back.
She tilted her head, chirruped softly.
“I think Wend is afraid of Granite.”
“Where did Wend…” Minnie shook her head, then stared. “Oh. I…How odd.”
She saw him now. Wend curled into Canyon, who squeezed him. “It’s okay.”
He nodded. It only worked if people weren’t looking.
Granite was looking now, eyes sharp. “Where did you come from?”
“The mountains.”
Granite raised a brow. “No. There’s no way we would have left someone behind. There’s no way there’s a Pack member I don’t know.”
What did he say to that? “Okay. Then I came from somewhere else.”
“Granite, stop.” Canyon scowled. “We need to talk, but not now.”
Wend shivered, head ducking. He needed to go away. He needed to see Riana, make sure she was safe. Warm. Hidden.
“What? I would have known if he belonged with us.” Granite growled. “I knew my Pack.”
“No. I don’t think you knew about them.”
His woman died, Wend. Right before my April. It made her cry. Riana sounded so worried.
“I’m not Pack.” He stood up, uncomfortable, and headed for the door. Riana. Riana. “Not your Pack.”
“No. No, you can’t be. I would know.”
Riana was alone.
Canyon was hot on his heels, which made a little glow of heat start in his belly. Their mate.
“Mate.” The word growled out of him, the wolf so close. “Riana’s alone.”
“Okay. Okay, love. We’ll go to her.”
Canyon took him, growling at anyone that came too close. Warning them back. They got back to Canyon’s house very fast, running inside to look for Riana.
Riana popped up, ran to him, panting. Wend.
“Shh.” Canyon let go of his hand, and Wend pulled off the clothes, even the socks, so he could be a wolf with her.
Their girl.
Wend changed, letting Riana explore him, sniff him, make sure he had his paws and tail and whiskers. Then she barked at Canyon, demanding to see his true self.
Pushy girl.
Canyon chuckled and stripped down, then shifted, his big wolf coming out.
Riana went to Canyon, jabbering at him, licking his face, his ears, checking him. Canyon let her, licking her whiskers occasionally, just going with it.
She groomed them both thoroughly, going so far as to hold Wend down to clean his ears. When she stopped, she settled between them, rumbling softly.
Canyon rumbled a little. We were fine.
There was food, Riana. A nice lady.
She wrinkled her nose.
Hey, now, Grandma Minnie is nice. Canyon growled a little.
Riana growled back, but it was all fear, worry.
Wend pushed closer. She’s like your April. She smells good.
That made his girl’s ears swivel, so at least she was willing to listen.
And there’s another one, Jupiter? She was sweet.
A soft growl sounded from their girl. Sweet?
Juniper. Canyon’s laughter was so bright. My sister.
Sister. Not your mate?
Canyon stood up and shook. Mate? You’re my mates.
Good.
Wend chuffed softly. You’re jealous.
Riana bit his haunch.
Canyon’s tongue lolled, his grin huge and happy.
She’s jealous! Wend pounced Canyon’s tail, gnawed on it a little bit. The thought made him a little stupid, a little crazy, really.
Canyon rolled with him, playing hard. Which was fine until they bowled Riana over.
They both stilled, not even breathing, until Riana crouched down, muscles vibrating.
Oh. Play.
Play.
She was going to play.
Wend couldn’t wait.
Canyon woofed gently, reaching out with one paw to whack at her, just grazing.
She pounced Canyon, barking happily, shaking Canyon’s ruff before bouncing away. Canyon followed, and they began to romp, which made Wend’s tail wag so hard it turned him in a circle.
Oh. Tail. Fuzzy. Look.
He ran harder, then Riana grabbed his tail and tugged hard. Wend yelped, and Canyon chuffed, nipping at his leg. No fair! Riana jumped over him, landed on Canyon with a happy yip, taking the big wolf down. He cringed a bit, expecting Canyon to bite her. Instead Canyon rolled and jumped up, barking.
Riana rolled over, her paws batting the air. Baring her belly. Soft, white belly. Wend had to have it. Now. He bounced over, pushed his nose against her.
Oh. Her scent poured over him, and he nuzzled in, the happiness so big it hurt. Ached. Throbbed.
His girl. For so long he hadn’t even been able to touch her. She was so sweet.
Canyon barked, right in his ear, making his head vibrate.
He answered back, head shaking so hard his ears flapped.
Pouncing, Canyon nipped at him again, really poking at him, pushing him some, and he growled softly, pushing back, caught between the urge to protect Riana and gnaw on Canyon’s ear.
Riana solved his dilemma by jumping on Canyon and chewin
g. Hard.
Canyon flipped her, nibbling on her belly, making her wiggle.
They played and played until finally Riana collapsed, panting. Canyon plopped down over the top of her, covering her fully, and he felt the sudden flare of need between them.
Wend yipped, not knowing what else to do. This was all so new.
Canyon’s teeth found Riana’s ruff, and he shook her gently. He wasn’t biting, just letting her know playtime was over. This was time for something else.
Slowly Canyon led Riana to their bed, led him, too, through the cabin.
Need to touch, mate. Canyon sounded so sure. The man climbed into the bed, not the wolf, holding out a hand, waiting for them.
He shifted, too, shivering until he was wrapped in Canyon’s arms. Riana danced on the floor, whining under her breath.
“Come on, love.” Canyon spoke to her in a low voice, urging her on. “Come on. We want to kiss you. Love you.”
He nodded, his legs tangling with Canyon’s. “Please, lady. Please. I need.”
Canyon’s desire, the heavy, thick cock—they were heady, they made his mouth water. Canyon’s hands slid over his skin, rough with calluses, touches so gentle. His lips found Canyon’s skin, tongue gathering up the salt and flavor that was his mate. Canyon hummed softly, fingers in his hair, now, the low sound encouraging him.
He felt a cold touch on his leg, the caress tentative, careful.
Wend smiled down at Riana, who was so beautiful that she made him ache, deep inside. “My lady.”
“Ours.” Canyon opened his other arm. “Come here, love. It’s warm with us.”
Warm and good, scented with pleasure. Wend whined softly when Riana’s soft breasts brushed against his body as she settled. She had lovely long legs, and her hands felt like butterfly kisses, so soft and almost scared.
“It’s an embarrassment of riches.” Canyon chuckled softly, then dipped his head and kissed Riana, slowly, deeply. He got to watch every second of it, too, his body responding, filling and beginning to ache.
She made a soft sound of wonder and clung to Canyon, her hands on his shoulders. Her skin was pale next to Canyon’s, and they made such a pretty combination.
He wanted to push in close, and when Canyon’s hand dragged him up to share the kiss, Wend went eagerly. Their mouths all met, Canyon’s hot, sure and solid. Riana was soft, open, her gasps perfect little puffs of air.
He found himself sliding down, hungry for Riana’s body, for those tight, pink nipples. They called to him.
Wend explored Riana’s chest, the upper slopes of her breasts giving way to the points that hardened for his lips. He sucked on one, loving her flavor. Canyon’s fingers tangled in his hair, keeping him there, encouraging him to help her make those wild noises.
Canyon just kissed her, and touched Wend with his other hand. Wend’s nipple felt Canyon's pinch, making him jump.
At the pinch, Wend found himself pulling harder, groaning around that sweet flesh, loving Riana’s little, needy sounds. She moved under him, against Canyon, getting a rhythm going. Wend’s cock was so hard. He almost looked down at it, amazed at how it felt.
Canyon encouraged him to shift, to move where his prick rubbed against her slick, wet heat.
Oh. Oh, his eyes rolled, his chest heaved, and Wend jerked against her. She felt amazing. His.
“Wend.” Her voice brushed over him, and he pushed again, slid. She was Heaven.
“God, you two are stunning.” Canyon petted them, hands moving in hypnotic circles.
Riana arched, arched into Canyon’s touch, which rocked Wend into a sheath of pure heat.
“Mates!” His cry rang out. Wend’s eyes opened wide, and he moaned, his hips slapping hers. He couldn’t breathe; he didn’t know what to do.
Of course you do. It’s natural. Canyon’s fingers slid down, touching both of them, where they joined. “Mmm. So wet for us.”
Riana gave a wild cry, the sound almost like a hunting howl. She was as fierce as she was innocent, and she was quickly driving him toward pleasure, her thighs squeezing together. His body jerked and thrust, the motion easy, true.
Canyon kept touching, encouraging his motions, the deep voice telling him how good he was, how right this was.
Even better were Riana’s sounds—begging for more.
Canyon moved around, leaving him and Riana face to face, rocking together, and then Canyon was behind Wend, rubbing against him. That was so warm, so good. His body pushed back against Canyon’s strength, down into Riana’s heat.
Up. Down. His eyes rolled and he barked out his need.
“Yes. Wend. Riana. My mates.” Mates. Hearing Canyon say it out loud made him grunt, made him push back and forth.
Riana gasped, twisting under him. “Please. So big. I need.”
“I know what you both need, love. I’ll help.” Canyon pushed against Wend, big prick sliding against his crack.
“Help…” His hips punched forward, his entire body alight.
“Just keep moving, sweet.” Canyon nipped at his ear, the tiny sting traveling all through him.
“Yes. Yes.” Wend could feel them both, hear their joy vibrating through him.
Riana kissed him, a little sloppy, but it was so good. It made him so happy. His body moved, driven by Canyon’s need, Riana’s pleasure, and he was caught between them.
Canyon’s cock burned against his lower back, against his butt. He loved the way Canyon’s chest hair rubbed against him, too, completely unlike Riana’s soft skin.
Canyon pushed his hair aside, teeth on his nape, his flesh.
Wend shouted, moving faster. He knew his hands were sliding, touching, but they seemed almost disconnected from his body. All he felt was his cock, the perfect way his balls ached. He sawed back and forth, his body slapping against Canyon’s, then Riana’s.
Riana arched under him, her hands reaching past him for Canyon.
“Yes.” Canyon cuffed, a happy, sexy sound, and leaned past him to kiss Riana’s mouth.
He cried out, sinking deep into their lady, his balls emptying as he howled.
“Oh.” Her eyes opened wide, her body shuddering, her breath making her chest heave. Her inner muscles fluttered around him, making him grit his teeth against another wave of pleasure.
Yes.
Wend didn’t know who thought it; he didn’t care. He just agreed.
Yes.
Canyon grunted, hips slamming against him one last time. He felt Canyon’s wet heat splash on his back.
He growled happily, body resting on Riana, covering her, touching her. She smiled for him, stroking his hair, her other hand on Canyon behind him.
Canyon hummed, settling beside them and drawing them both into his arms. “Better.”
Riana nodded. “Not her mate. Her brother.”
Wend chuffed softly. “He’s our mate, Riana. Ours.”
Riana sighed and settled, a smile on her face. “Yes.”
That seemed like that, for now at least. They still needed to get Riana to meet the Pack.
Naps were important, though.
Chapter Thirteen
Canyon sat at the kitchen table and read the news on his iPad. He never really paid too much attention to the international stuff, but anything environmental or weather interested him, and he’d been out of the loop for days. Weeks, maybe. He’d lost track, and that wasn’t like him at all.
Wend was draped over the sofa, wearing sweats and fuzzy socks as the man recovered from his first human bath. He was doing better than their girl.
Riana was never going to forgive him.
Ever.
He grinned a little, his ears picking up the sound of footsteps outside. Huh. He got up and went to the back door, wanting to head off any more freak-outs from his mates. They were still so new to everything.
His twin was coming up the walk with a six-pack of beer, a cheese ball, and a box of Ritz crackers.
Time for a confab, apparently. He opened the door, grinning. “H
ey, bro.”
“Hey, there. Kody sent gifts.” The cheese ball was held up. “Wanted to see how everyone was settling in.”
“Good. It’s good.” He took the cheese and crackers and put them on a plate. “Beer is also good.”
“Yeah.” Mesa looked at Wend, who was snoring loudly, not noticing them at all. “Wow.”
“Yeah. Watch out, Riana’s not that relaxed. She’ll bite.”
“No shit. Well, I’ll keep that in mind.” Mesa handed over the beer. “Can we sit? I feel like I need to catch you up.”
“Have a seat.” He grabbed a blanket and tossed it over Wend, saw Riana’s tail disappear under the sofa. Canyon bit back a sigh. She really needed to start meeting people, at least.
Mesa sat at the kitchen table. “Thanks.” He opened a beer, glanced at the sofa. He could see the gleam of Riana's eyes. “So…”
Canyon chuckled. “She won’t be human. He’s terrified of Granite. They’re both amazing.”
“I bet.” Mesa grinned a little. “She’s not used to being human, yeah? She’ll figure out that it has uses. The pack is getting crowded, though. I need some input.”
“Sure. Are you going to send the others off with Granite until they find an Alpha or are you going to keep them?” The cheese ball was full of bacon and chives and dill and was delicious.
“Well, I don’t know that Granite is up to it. He’s still weak. He’s also a little heart sore, you know?” Mesa's head tilted. "The others? You're not sending these two?"
“What?” He caught himself growling, snarling deep in his chest. How could Mesa say that?
"Easy. Easy, brother. I'm just giving you shit." Mesa grabbed a cracker, ate. “I talked to Granite some. Looks like the Guardian he replaced, this Russet? His lady, April, came to him, told him about her big secret, her sister. She came to Granite's girl with the information after Markus started killing off anything that defied him."
"Wait. Wait. Markus' Guardian gave them up?"
"Russet was Markus' second."
“So?” That was an excuse to betray his mates? Canyon was a second. He wouldn’t do that.
“So, if you learned a secret that would affect the Clan, you would come to me.” Mesa shook his head, but there was admiration there. “It’s what seconds do. You know that.”